Journey To The International Range

In the volume house building market, control over house type design is often restricted and controlled centrally as a group function. The journey to the International Range, which included being named Scottish Housebuilder of the Year 2020, has been possible by allowing the Technical team direct control over the architectural design process and pushing plans to the limit of what was viable.

Between concept and final design, there were intensive months of market research, including multiple focus group sessions where we listened to unfiltered views and feedback from our potential customers. Homebuyers explained what they wanted from their homes and how they want to live. Some findings challenged our thinking, and others were simple to implement, such as providing generous room sizes, carefully designed usable spaces throughout and attractive modern kitchens, bathrooms and en suites.

There are always multiple competing pressures to contend with; principles such as standard build costs, attractive kerb appeal and plotting efficiencies must be considered, but we worked hard on finding the edges where we could push the design envelope for this range of house types.

Our goal was for the homes to feel modern, light, bright and spacious, so our window profiles are unique, with increased apertures providing generous light to the properties adding to that sense of space.

We have integrated appliances, induction hobs, slimline wall units and chrome fixtures in our kitchens. Our homes all feature quality Hansgrohe brassware and Roca sanitaryware, which are not generally expected at this price point. We have challenged every detail, such as introducing fully tiled bulkheads within wet rooms with increased shower cubicles as standard.

Introducing finishing touches such as USB ports, oak handrails, and modern internal doors all finished in the signature Robertson mist grey paintwork add to the sense of luxury.

Another non-negotiable was to deliver generous storage to accommodate a growing family’s needs without compromising internal ‘circulation’ space. For this, we looked at every square foot of space and how people would move around their home to seek out areas that would be underused or could be reimagined to create functional and generous unique storage space.

At Living by Robertson, our home exteriors are bespoke to their location. With the International Range, we have been able to create variety and contrast in the product through carefully selected use of materials such as good quality facing brick, premium anthracite grey windows and doors with a selection of roof tiles and monoblock driveways.

After months of pouring over concept sketches and plans on paper, to finally see the first of the new house types complete and receiving positive feedback from our new homebuyers is incredibly rewarding.

It is a proud feeling for the whole Living team to know we are making a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the people moving into their new homes.

View our new homes here