Renowned developer announces the launch of Baucis + Philemon in Glasgow’s west end

Inspired by Greek mythology and motivated by a desire to create truly incomparable homes, NV Properties has announced the launch of its latest venture – Baucis + Philemon. This inimitable new development, ideally located in a plush area of Glasgow’s sought-after west end, will comprise of just two distinctive properties, based on the female and male characters of Baucis + Philemon respectively.

In this Greek love story of compassion for one’s fellow man, Baucis and Philemon are simple village folk that offer hospitality to two Greek Gods, Zeus and Hermes who are visiting earth in disguise. Ultimately, this act of kindness results in them and their homes being spared from a great flood and granted their one true wish – that if one should die, the other should pass on too. And so it was that on their deaths, they were transformed into an intertwining pair of trees, one oak and one lime. This image of the trees is now used as the official emblem for the Baucis + Philemon development.

Farahbod Nakhaei, director of NV Properties, explains where this concept originated from: “This piece of ancient allegory is a story of Greek Gods in search of true hospitality and the recognition of a selfless generosity of spirit. This was the same spirit shown by our ancestors when building what we now consider our priceless built heritage. We aim to approach all of our projects with this spirit and seek to create buildings that not only unify functionality, colour and style, but at a more subtle level become instruments that generate warmth, positive emotions and influence lives for the better, and perhaps one day could be considered as worthy pieces of our future built heritage.

“In these two buildings, through the collective skills of our talented architect, Jonathan Potter, and celebrated sculptor, Alexander Stoddart, the story of Baucis + Philemon was considered to have parallels with our combined aspirations for this project, where art and architecture could be brought together to tell a story of our shared values. We are creating a unique piece of architecture that not only pays homage to Glasgow’s long tradition of architectural vision and is at one with the timeless grandeur of Glasgow’s West End, but is also life enhancing. Unique is a much misused word, but not here.”

The style and design of these two homes will be second to none. Whilst the female representation of Baucis will be a unique spherical home with a centric spiral staircase, Philemon, the male counterpart, follows the more traditional theme of a rectangular structure.

These stunning homes will be peppered with an array of practical and luxurious touches, from oak veneered solid core doors, oak or lime veneered panelling and oak flooring to fitted wardrobes from Silenia of Italy, Porcelanosa designed bathrooms and Corian worktops in the kitchens. The use of floor to ceiling windows throughout the living spaces, as well as glass panelling in the bathrooms, ensures that these homes are flooded with natural light.

Each property will be technologically intelligent, fully wired to support integrated home automation for the control of lighting, home entertainment, blinds and security systems.

In both of these generously proportioned four-bedroom homes, the master and second bedrooms will be serviced by luxurious en-suite facilities. The third and fourth bedrooms of Baucis will share stylish ‘Jack and Jill’ bathrooms whilst their counterparts in Philemon benefit from a separate bath and shower room.

Externally, Baucis + Philemon will more than live up to their exceptional interior. The walls will be an eclectic fusion of materials – ashlar stone, timber cladding, render and lead – all expertly blended to create the external architectural artistry. The gardens have been designed by P D Stokes landscape designers and will comprise a beautiful amalgamation of natural stone paving, timber decking, water features, railway sleepers, stainless steel and outdoor lighting as well as mature plants and trees, providing a haven of tranquillity.

Jonathan Potter, architect for this unique project, comments: “The houses were derived from the idea of an island remaining after a great flood, with a nod to the conceptual work of John Outram. The exterior is finely sculpted, with natural stone providing a protective carapace for the light-filled interior.

“It has been a great pleasure working with the sculptor, Alexander Stoddart, whose bronze frieze is being integrated into the façade. The artwork initiates the transformation of the vernacular to the sublime.

“Our design is a fine weave of mythology and technology, where each component of the building has been carefully considered to fulfil a practical and symbolic role.”

The final inimitable touch to these glorious homes will be an exceptional piece of frieze sculpture from Alexander Stoddart dedicated to the memory of Baucis and Philemon. Responsible for the magnificent statue of Adam Smith on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and classical figures for the Italian Centre, Glasgow, and acclaimed for his work within Buckingham Palace, Mr Stoddart has lovingly recreated the fable of Baucis and Philemon as a series of seven beautiful panels along the exterior walls, adding a gloriously original profile to these incomparable homes.

Farahbod Nakhaei adds: “Unlike most other developers, we look more deeply into the holistic effects of what we do. In the widest sense, our aim is to regenerate the altruistic ideals of a proud Glasgow from the buildings we create. We have a focused desire to transform the rewards of our success into new and dynamic elements of a 21st century city heritage, which we believe will bring huge amounts of joy to those who reside in our buildings as well as those who pass by. We believe that every living space has this potential. And we believe it has never been voiced more eloquently than in Baucis and Philemon.”

Email: kblackie@freshwaterscotland.com