Moxon
Minimalist architectural line drawing of a landscape with a small house among trees. The house is on the right, surrounded by tall trees, with an open space and a body of water on the left.
Abbotsrood

Abbotsrood

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

2015 — 2016

Client   Private Client
Buildings · Private Homes
Located on a steep sided natural levee overlooking the River Dee, the proposal has been designed to have the minimum impact on the public domain and the amenity of neighbouring properties while maximising the experience within the house of the beautiful south facing site. The client is a respected ecological scientist and so the impact of the design on the existing site, provenance of construction materials and approach to energy use is of paramount importance in the design.
Modern house with large windows, surrounded by stone walls and lush greenery. The building features a metal roof and a textured facade, blending with the natural landscape on a sunny day.

The geometry of the pitched roof has been established with a pronounced ‘skew’; enabling a lofty interior along the centreline of the house but with an overall form that resolves to very low eaves at the diagonally opposed corners where the proposal abuts neighbouring properties. The centre of the house is anchored around a two storey granite pillar that is situated behind large areas of south facing glazing and contains the fireplace and hot water system – the granite mass forms a large passively and actively heated ‘thermal battery’ in the centre of the home. 

The section steps down the slope of the levee to a drystone faced lower level containing an ensuite bedroom and private study. The drystone walls then continue to step down the slope forming garden terraces to the bank of the Dee.

A cozy wooden library with bookshelves lining the wall, a wooden desk with a modern lamp on the right, and a comfortable seating area with a sofa visible in the background, illuminated by warm lighting.
Warmly lit wooden interior featuring a desk with a lamp and chair in the foreground. A spacious dining area with a wooden table and white chairs is visible in the background, set against large windows opening to a view of greenery.
Architectural line drawing of a house cross-section with trees in the background. The design features multiple levels with large windows, horizontal roof lines, and an elevated section, blending with the natural landscape.
Modern house with wooden exterior features a patio with white lounge chairs. Large windows showcase an interior bookshelf. Lush greenery and a serene lake are visible in the background, under a clear sky.
A modern, angular house with a sloped metal roof is surrounded by trees. A vintage car is partially visible under an overhang. The scene is set at dusk with a soft, natural light.
Hand-drawn architectural sketches show various perspectives of a house with a sloped roof and stone base. An overhead and side view are included, along with a close-up of a construction detail. Lines suggest surrounding landscape.
A modern stone house with large glass windows is nestled in a lush, wooded area. The structure is multi-level, with outdoor seating visible on the balcony. The surrounding trees frame the house, creating a tranquil, nature-focused scene.
Partner
Structural engineer
Graeme Craig Consulting Engineer

Related projects

A quaint stone cottage with a red-roofed extension sits amidst tall grasses under a moody sky. Patches of sunlight illuminate parts of the house, creating a striking contrast with the dark clouds above. Bare trees are visible in the background.

Coldrach
Aberdeenshire
A modern stone and wood house with large windows sits on a grassy hillside. The foreground features wildflowers, while rolling hills and trees stretch into the distance under a soft, golden sunset sky.

Chapel Brae
Aberdeenshire
A snow-covered landscape featuring a distant house surrounded by leafless trees. The ground is blanketed in snow, creating a serene winter scene with a pale sky overhead.

Drummargettie
Aberdeenshire
Projects Studio News
Email
Instagram
LinkedIn
Privacy notice  •  Terms of use  •  Site credits
©2025  •  All rights reserved  •  Design by Modern Activity