CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS
ARCHITECT
Adam Toleman, Arka Architects
arka-architects.co.uk
CONTRACTOR
MacGregor’s Building Services
01877 331243
TIMBER FRAME ENGINEERING
Rob Roy Homes
robroyhomes.co.uk
WINDOWS Rationel from Architectural Doors and Windows Ltd; Velux
adwlimited.co.uk velux.co.uk
SANITARYWARE & TILES
Porcelanosa Edinburgh
porcelanosa.com BATH
Soakology
soakology.co.uk
KITCHEN & UTILITY
space below. “We’re really proud of the soaring ceiling heights and the unusual asymmetrical angles visible,” says Gill. “Adam really listened to what we wanted. I asked him to add a wood store next to the fireplace and designed the kitchen myself so it sat sympathetically with the open- plan living area.”
She also loves the huge expanses of
thermally-efficient glass: “Adam has given us a beautiful view from every window. I know it’s a cliché, but we do feel connected to the landscape from every single room. The view from the upstairs sitting room is particularly special.”
Manuel Haugh sits in a peaceful rural setting in a valley with beautiful views of Cockleroy – a local hill, plus a landmark railway viaduct and the surrounding farmland: “We have no neighbours, so can keep chickens and two cockerels!”
As well as setting out a distinctive design ethos, there was also much work to do to make the new home habitable.
Although water was on site, the previous occupier, who had died, lived alone and used a diesel generator for electricity. It cost Gill and David £30,000 to bring in a brand-new electricity supply under a field. Installation of services meant the juggling of priorities between cost and environmental concerns. “We wanted a biomass boiler, and in an ideal world were intending to have one but the Government dramatically reduced the subsidies at the time we were building,” says Gill. “The
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www.sbhonline.co.uk
outlay would have been four times the cost of an oil-fired heating system. It’s a pity there was no financial incentive for us to use an alternative of eco-friendly heating systems.” However, because the house faces south-west and has Velux windows in the roof, it does benefit from impressive solar gain – “even though it’s Scotland!”, laughs Gill. She says that except in the depths of winter it’s usually warm enough without switching on the underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs. Their new home is a far cry from the mouldering heap of buildings that stood here just a few short years ago. “It’s hard to think now, but the farm and out-buildings were unfit for habitation,” says Gill. “Now we feel as though we are permanently in a luxury holiday home. We feel very lucky to have had this opportunity, as well as a great feeling of achievement.”
The replacement dwelling, glistening in sharp white render, could not be more different from the crumbling pile they took on
january 2020
Kitchens International
kitchensinternational.co.uk FLOORING
Kersaint Cobb from Edinburgh Carpet and Flooring Warehouse Limited edinburghcarpetwarehouse.
co.uk
SOLAR GAIN
Because the house faces south- west and has Velux windows, it benefits from “impressive” solar gain, “even though it’s in Scotland,” says Gill
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