NEW HOUSE,
ST. JOHN'S TOWN OF DALRY

This project involves the reconstruction and extension of a derelict 200+ year old stone-built farmhouse with separate outbuildings located west of Lochinvar, near St.John’s Town of Dalry in Dumfries and Galloway.   The buildings had originally all been thatched, comprising of a cross-shaped farmhouse with stunning uninterrupted scenic views to the south and west.  

From the outset, the client was committed to refurbishing and upgrading the existing dwelling beyond current building standards to create a spacious 3 bedroomed 'eco' home implementing a number of sustainable measures with the goal of achieving net zero carbon. 

Our approach is to keep this modestly scaled house materially consistent and homogenous throughout to reflect the simplicity of the original structure. Although the new west wing extension is proposed to be of a similar construction to the existing rebuilt structure using similar stone walling and slate roofing, the openings will in contrast be more generous that the original structure in order to address the stunning southern and western views.  

The generous south facing living area openings and stone terrace plinth reconciles the inside floor level with the outside sloping site, and further establishes the contrast with the original structure. The extension aligns with the gable of the existing re-used outbuilding and in doing so forms a semi courtyard entrance approach to consolidate the planning between the upgraded derelict structures and extension. 

The proposal adopts a number of sustainable measures imbedded within the design of the house and surrounding landscape, including super insulated fabric, triple glazed windows, whole house heat recovery ventilation system, air source heat pump, a micro wind turbine and vertical flow reed bed system.

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