03 October 2024
The owners of a derelict early 19th-century steading and mill approached FBRSeed Architects after contemplating various proposals for a new building. After careful consideration, they opted to preserve what remained of the original structures.
Spanning approximately 900m², the steading and mill were in a state of significant disrepair. The team explored ways to reuse part of the building to meet the client’s requirements. The mill buildings were unsound and beyond the requirement for the scheme and so were demolished. The barn and roofed cow court had great potential, and it was recommended that they be retained.
One of the first tasks was to carefully dismantle the sections of the building that had deteriorated beyond salvage. To separate the restored building from the neighbouring barn, which belonged to another owner, the roofed cow court was reduced in size to form a new internal courtyard. This adjustment left a more manageable building area of 500m², allowing for a thoughtful and economical rebuild.
The barn’s pantile roofs were reinstated, retaining their traditional aesthetic, while the cowshed roof took on a new form. Reconfigured with hips at either end, the cowshed was finished with sinusoidal corrugated iron in agricultural red. This simultaneously gave the roof a contemporary look while keeping it attuned to its rural context.
As with any restoration project, materials played a critical role in merging the old with the new. Salvaged rubble stone was used to repair and match the existing walling, and a lime slaister point was applied to restore the structure’s original character. One of the most significant changes was the creation of a cobbled pend between the restored building and the adjacent barn. Here, a new wall was introduced, glazed almost entirely from floor to ceiling. The glazing was complemented by louvred screens to ensure ventilation in line with Scottish Building Standards and by vertical lapped timber cladding.
Inside, the sarking board ceilings aligned to the pitch of the roof offer warmth and texture. The walls have been lined and insulated to provide a comfortable environment without losing the rustic feel. A double-height space in the old barn became a key feature of the restoration. This space was left open to form a strikingly modern interior, with the upper-level windows and doors accepted as openings, creating a light-filled modern interior.
Central to the success of this project was ensuring the build was economic. With the existing height of the building exceeding the owners’ needs, we laid a new insulated concrete floor directly over the original one. This solution minimised demolition and excavation work, reduced the amount of infill material required, and eliminated the need for costly underpinning. It also allowed for the preservation of the original cast-iron columns with enhanced foundations in the cowshed.
The interior design was kept minimal and functional, with modern fixtures and fittings that complement the building’s rustic character. Clear-finished timber was chosen for doors, windows, and joinery, ensuring a natural, rural palette in keeping with the building’s origins. Lighting was professionally designed to enhance the ambience of each space, accentuating both the architectural features and the airy openness of the new layout.
The exterior was carefully considered, with cobbled drives and paths to achieve a sympathetic hard landscape. The lawns were regraded, and iron estate fencing and gates were installed to complete a refined but understated approach to the landscaping.
The result is a striking transformation. A building, once deemed unsalvageable, has been turned into a bright, modern space. This project is a testament to the power of restoration and conservation architecture.
For more information about FBRSeed Architecture, click here. Photograph credit – David Queenan.