19th Century Fermtoun Transformed
Ardoch
2012 — 2013
The Farm House
The hillside fermtoun offers a main family residence, a guesthouse steading, a converted blackhouse for entertaining, a glasshouse and an artist’s studio, each embodying the surrounding highland vernacular, and the region’s unique heritage, materials and craftsmanship.
‘This project is a wonderful example of reuse and reinvention. There was a clear labour of love and an appreciation for the site and context as this abandoned property was brought in to this century in terms of technology and performance, while respecting and preserving much of the original character.’
AIA UK Awards Jury
Traditional and contemporary construction methods have been used to bring the buildings up to modern energy efficiency standards, while the use of robust, local materials retain their agricultural character. Partially collapsed walls and roofs have been reconstructed utilising stone, slate and timber extracted from the site, and original granite walls are complemented with contemporary interventions including bespoke steelwork and large section Douglas fir fins.
The main house, a 19th century highland ‘but and ben’, has been restored with the original 170-year-old graduated scotch slate roof lifted and re-laid in sequence over new pine sarking boards.
‘An exemplar of contemporary repair, where the art and craft of existing buildings have been retold in a re-interpretation of their own architectural language.’
RIAS Doolan Awards Jury
The Guesthouse
The guesthouse, the largest building on the site, provides additional study and living space to the main residence, while providing self-contained accommodation for visitors. The transformed main spaces follow pre-existing layouts, and new windows occupy existing apertures, preserving the original vernacular and form. Interiors as insulated and lined with clay plaster, to offer a seamless, spacious feel, and oak joinery enhances the minimalist rural aesthetic.
The Glasshouse
A formerly collapsed farm store and sheepfold at the rear of the site has been reinvented as a glasshouse, serving as the backdrop to vines and lemon trees, and a two-storey steading has been repurposed as a private artist's studio and workshop.
‘Neither ostentatious nor grand, this farmstead-cum-home is an exemplar of contemporary repair’
RIAS Awards Jury
‘A unique approach to building and rebuilding heritage. No sense of exploitation, it is a mannerly and respectful example of living in the landscape. It is moving - and you cannot plan or design for that. Its craftsmanship set the bar. It is storied and a collaborative way of building. An example of a creative couple coming together to create something rare and artful. Magic flows from every window.’
Karen Anderson, President of the RIAS
The restoration includes an extensive conservation programme, including the addition of 450 native trees, the restoration of the kailyaird - a highland potager garden, and the protection of 50 rare aspen suckers, a conservation priority species.
‘A successful interplay of preservation of history, contemporary functionality and sustainable design’
Detail Magazine
