The Coach House
Reimagining an old coach house for modern-day living
A traditional steading with contemporary details inspired by a Manhattan art museum
Unbeknownst to its original owner, the coach house's long-term future was uncertain from the start. Initially designed to house horses and carriages belonging to the nearby country home, the building was completed towards the end of the 1890s, around the time that the first motor car arrived in Scotland. The early cars were mainly in the cities, however, as the 1920s dawned, with the steady development of Scotland's rural road network, it became increasingly likely that the family's horses would be replaced by a car.
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No longer needed for its original purpose, the coach house was adapted and served a variety of uses over the years and the integrity of the building diminished. The hay loft floor was cut out risking its long term stability, its slate roof was replaced with tin and the building fell into disrepair.
When the house and coach house were bought by new owners, Building Workshop was given the brief to convert the old coach house into a contemporary home. The completed home has open plan kitchen and living spaces, four bedrooms and a fun attic play space overlooking the kitchen. A large sliding door connects the kitchen with the outside courtyard and big rooflights fill the interior with natural daylight.
Externally, the architecture reflects a sensitive restoration of the original coach house. Traditional materials and techniques were used in the restoration process, preserving the building's original openings and proportions. To compliment the traditional aesthetic, an asymmetric geometric window, inspired by an art museum in Manhattan, was introduced on the north elevation. Internally, this window frames a calm view of the surrounding woodland, while externally, its nordic brass cladding creates a striking contrast between tradition and modernity.
Images © Richard Gaston