30 DIGS.NET
| 3.10.23
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P R O F I L E | B R O W N & B R O W N A R C H I T E C T S
the traditional cottage. Rather than rebuild
or restore what was a crumbling barn
building, "Our approach was to take down
the steading, reusing the materials from
it, before creating a replacement stone
plinth, atop which could sit the main body
of the extension, allowing for consistent
floor levels between the historic and
contemporary elements," explains Brown.
Because what works in theory is difficult in
practice, connecting old and new remains
tricky business for skilled hands, "a delicate
surgery that requires specialist knowledge,"
as Brown puts it. Therefore, he adds, "We
worked with local materials and gentle
contrasts to ensure the buildings fit neatly
together in a sympathetic yet impactful way"
and "used a simple palette of timber, stone,
slate and steel to connect the interiors and
carry the language of the house throughout."
Allying house and surround remained top
of mind for the studio. In order to increase
the amount needed, for example, "a local
quarry–the source of the stone used in the
old steading—was reopened to allow the
identical stone to be used in the project."
Set lower on the site and approximately
bedroom with eye-level slot window looking
north up a valley. Part two of the project
was designing a new sharp-lined extension
along with a minimal glazed link to connect
the two structures that also serves as
the home's primary entrance. Client
involvement at all stages of the project
led to the creation of a separate games
block, a guest suite with accommodation
for elderly relatives, a spill-out space for
when the house is full and a number of other
features.
Built in place of traditional Scottish steading,
the extension is a radical departure from
