The Cedar House

The existing house was a modest bungalow of brick cavity wall construction. The layout, with front facing bedrooms and a living space to the rear, resulted in the house gaining little benefit from the classic view across the estuary towards Kirkcudbright. 

This was overcome by extending the house to the south to provide a new open plan kitchen / dining / living space, linked to the existing house by a flat roofed entrance porch, with views towards the town as well as a connection to the garden which surrounds it. A roof window in the living space provides a view into the tree canopy. The clients wanted an outdoor seating area with a degree of privacy and which also benefited from afternoon and evening sun. 

The chosen material for the walls of the new extension takes its cue from the established garden and trees around the site. The ‘waney edge’ cladding to the gables of the existing house was also in poor condition and needed replacement. Use of the same cladding on both the extension and the existing building helps to relate the old and new parts of the building. 

The existing house was reconfigured and improved as part of the project. The former living space was altered to become a master bedroom with a large window facing the rear garden. The adjacent coal store was converted to form an ensuite shower room while the former kitchen became a large utility. A complete overhaul of the existing roof and re-wiring of the house was carried out. 

An air source heat pump was installed to provide a renewable heating solution for the completed house with underfloor heating incorporated into the new extension. The structure of the house is timber framed and includes use of engineered timber products such as glulam beams which make efficient use of timber while helping to sequester carbon for the life of the building. 

The design stages of this project were carried out by Graeme Ditchburn as project architect while employed at Simon Winstanley Architects. Graeme Ditchburn Architect continued the project through the tendering and construction stages to completion as a sub-consultant.

“The design of the extension fits our lifestyle perfectly, from functionality to aesthetics.  It complements both the original house and its surroundings.

Graeme took on board our vision and aspirations and guided us towards a solution that would be architecturally sound and acceptable to the planning authority. Graeme worked harmoniously with the main contractor, Gary McKeand of GM Construction, to produce a high quality finish. He works in a quiet assured manner which instils confidence. We would have no hesitation in recommending him to any future prospective client.”

– Jim and Jill