This extension to a 19th century house turns its bleak rear into a sun trap.

The client had lived in the house for 14 years and the brief was to design a garden room which would bring natural light to the cold and dark north side of the house. The plan is very simple, a new kitchen is set within the existing house and the stone wall of an outhouse has been retained to form one side of a wide glass box projecting into the garden. The lighting has been designed with both day and night in mind; one of its key objectives is to make the most of the building’s transparency. Carefull deatailing ensures that each element appears to stand alone, like components; the plinth-like floor, the slender timber and steel structure and the cranked roof plane.

The level drops two steps between the kitchen and the new garden room from where the slate floor sweeps out to form the terrace with further steps down again to the garden level.

Awards

Scottish Design Awards, Best Domestic Project, 2003, Commendation
Saltire Society, Housing Award, 2003, Commendation