A new home made of recycled materials on the East Coast of Scotland
Inspired by their years in the Highlands, the clients envisioned a home that would honour rural Scottish architecture while embracing contemporary living. The couple purchased a plot of land in Eastern Scotland featuring an existing ruinous stone byre that has become an integral part of the new home. The reuse of existing onsite stone embodies our approach to material circularity, reducing carbon impact and preserving the character of local architecture.
Our clients approached Loader Monteith having discovered a past project in the Cairngorms. The clients connected with our approach to working with old and new. Working in the construction and building materials industries they briefed us to help them design a home they could craft and make their own.
Thoughtful integration into the rural landscape and connection to nature was a priority. Cairnconon Byre is arranged in an L-shape plan oriented to capture views of the surrounding landscape while preserving privacy. The home includes a living room, kitchen and dining area, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The design takes cues from the existing byre, with the walls of one of the two new volumes formed using its reclaimed Scottish Carmyllie stone. The sinusoidal coloured-metal roof, inspired by local agricultural buildings, ensures its durability and connects the new build with its surroundings.
Internally Cairnconon Byre is a celebration of natural materials and considered craftsmanship. Floated polished concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wall paneling create a space that blends into the background and focuses on views across the landscape. The kitchen is a key gathering space connected to the garden, enhancing the close relationship the home holds with the outdoors.
Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The house features double glazing, high levels of insulation and airtightness, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery and an Air Source Heat Pump to ensure optimal performance in the Scottish climate. Reusing the reclaimed stone from the byre aligns with Loader Monteith’s commitment to employing green building practices.