When an architectural technologist with over 30 years of experience selects a material for his self-build project, it is a strong endorsement of its quality.  

For Gordon Aitken, Accoya was the clear choice—not only for his latest home in West Bowhouse Steading, but also for his first self-build in Davaar House back in 2007.

Having experienced Accoya’s durability firsthand, he confidently specified it again for his new home’s cladding, ensuring a long-lasting, low-maintenance exterior. 

West Bowhouse Steading is a contemporary interpretation of a rural Dutch barn/Scottish Longhouse, designed to meet the rigorous Passivhaus standard—the highest certifiable level of energy efficiency in the UK. 

 A Passivhaus is a highly energy-efficient home that relies on passive heat sources, such as sunlight, to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while using minimal energy for heating and cooling. 

Gordon’s goal was to create a sustainable home with low running costs and minimal exterior maintenance, and Accoya played a key role in achieving this.  

Accoya’s unrivalled durability ensures a superior longevity with its Class 1 rating, offering a reliable, low-maintenance exterior that resists swelling, shrinking, and warping. Having seen how well Accoya performed on Davaar House over 15 years, Gordon was confident that his new home would require very little maintenance.

Accoya cladding was pre-coated with Teknos paint before installation, extending the lifespan of the finish by up to three times compared to unmodified timber.  

To stay true to the rural vernacular inspiration, Gordon combined two cladding profiles and colours:

• RW119 light-coloured vertical cladding on the upper level
• RW014 dark grey horizontal rainscreen cladding on the lower level 

The darker shade matches the window frames, creating a seamless visual effect that cleverly disguises the gap between the patio doors and lounge windows. This trompe l’oeil effect enhances the home’s barn-like appearance, blending effortlessly with its rural setting. 

Accoya’s excellent coating performance ensures that the factory-applied Teknos coating lasts up to three times longer than untreated timber, preserving the aesthetic and functional quality of the cladding. 

One of Gordon’s priorities was achieving sharp detailing. Accoya’s smooth planed finish, combined with Teknos coating and F-Bohr® ZB Screws, resulted in a flawless, crisp aesthetic. The material’s design flexibility allowed for sharp detailing and a smooth, high-quality finish, elevating the overall look of the home. 

“We always planned to use Accoya, and the end result looks really sharp,” says Gordon. “I’m particularly pleased with how the light woodgrain shows through the Teknos coating. Plus, the pre-coated cladding significantly reduced on-site labour and installation costs.” 

Russwood, the Accoya wood supplier, played a crucial role in this project. Their commitment to quality, expertise, and innovation ensured that Gordon Aitken’s vision for a low-maintenance, precision-detailed exterior was fully realised. 

Accoya Supplier: Russwood 
Material: Accoya Wood 
Architect: Gordon Aitken 
Coating: Teknos factory-applied finish 
Key Features: Passive House standard, low-maintenance exterior, sustainable materials 
Fixings: F-Bohr® ZB Screws for a seamless finish