Architecture Practice, BAILTEAN AILTEIREACHD ’S RÙM DÀNACH:
TOWNSHIPS, ARCHITECTURE & The ROOM of POETICS

Caol Ruadh gatehouse

Context

This project involves the conversion and extension of an existing outhouse at Caol Ruadh Gatehouse to form a single-dwelling house. The design aims to repurpose the current structure, building within and around it to create a contemporary home that respects and revitalizes the existing fabric.

Architecture
Ruairidh Moir – Architect
Gordon McGregor – Architect
Charles Tulley – Architect
Andrew Lang – Architectural Assistant

Location
Caol Ruadh, Colintraive, Argyll & Bute, Scotland

Allocation Date
2021

Client
Mr & Mrs Stephen & Brigid Maguire

Status
Construction

The cottage originally formed a gatehouse to a large house. This cottage will not form part of the application. The existing cottage is physically attached to an L-shaped outhouse that contained stables and storage in the east wing and storage in the south wing. These are in a ruinous state. These L -shape buildings form a small courtyard between themselves and the cottage. The south wing originally had a hothouse for the growing of plants attached to its southern elevation. This hothouse has long since been demolished leaving the odd wall, a basement former plant room and chimney in place.

The buildings are of a red brick with sandstone details and steel lintels to the large openings. The roof of the South wing, visible from the private road to the large house is clad in rosemary tiles with a decorative ridge tile. The roof of the East wing is not visible from the private road due to its monopitch form and would originally have been corrugated iron. The outbuildings have been disused for a long time and are in a poor state of repair though the brick and stone walls are in sound condition. The large steel lintels are rotten and need replaced. 

The existing building condition

The existing cottage will remain as a separate dwelling sharing the courtyard with the new dwelling to be formed within the existing structure. This will consist of an entrance porch, a living room with a fireplace, a bedroom and bathroom, utility room, a study space and within an extension, a dining-kitchen.

The existing brick and stone walls will be repaired and pointed. Insulation and linings will be added to the inside of these walls. New timber windows will be formed in the openings. The existing southern wing roof will be restored using new rosemary tiles to match the existing and by reusing the existing feature ridge tiles. Lead flashings will be renewed. A new stainless steel chimney will be created serving a stove in the kitchen dining room. The east wing monopitch roof will be restored with new timbers, insulated and clad using a sinusoidal steel roofing.

The existing brick and stone walls will be repaired and pointed. Insulation and linings will be added to the inside of these walls. New timber windows will be formed in the openings. The existing southern wing roof will be restored using new rosemary tiles to match the existing and by reusing the existing feature ridge tiles. Lead flashings will be renewed. A new stainless steel chimney will be created serving a stove in the kitchen dining room. The east wing monopitch roof will be restored with new timbers, insulated and clad using a sinusoidal steel roofing.

Construction

Crenalment restoration with existing damaged roofs removed and rebuilt

Fragments of the outbuildings on site

Alcove entrance concept drawings

Early outbuilding concept drawings

CRUACHAN BEAG
Reinhabiting a ruin. On the Isle of Eriskay, a two-celled stone bothy lain in a ruinous state situated on a spectacular promontory, was a favourite for onlookers to photograph. This structure was formerly a home, and may later have become a dairy shed. What was clear, however, was that numerous adaptations had been made over time to the building.

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EDINBURGH TOWNHOUSE
Our design proposes modifications to the kitchen and dining areas of the property to the rear garden, examining the property holistically in relation to the building character and function.

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ARTISTS STUDIO
PLACING LIGHT ATOP THE HILL
Across the Outer Hebrides, patterns of former habitations punctuate the landscape. In the case of Lemreway, a remarkable collection of blackhouses sit elevated above the new village, quite forgotten despite their prominent position overlooking the village.

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BERNERAY MANSE
Building on our work at nearby Trumaisgearraidh, we have been commissioned to assist with renovation plans to bring the building back into habitable use as well as adapting the house sympathetically to reflect the needs of modern domestic life. 

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A VESSEL OF CHRONICLES AND VOYAGES
We propose a building as a campus, placed on the shore line and creating a kind of landscape that evokes the qualities of this place.  Large blocks are anchored against sheltering walls, like ships come into harbour. We propose a dynamic and exploratory building, blending historical narrative with a forward-thinking approach. The vessel navigates through time, filled with chronicles and opportunities for new voyages.    

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Leverhulme Community Hub
The proposal sought to update the original building while maintaining its original character. It transformed the space to serve new functions, preserving the structure for future generations from its former use as a school to a more versatile community space.

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Caol Ruadh Gatehouse
This project involves the conversion and extension of an existing outhouse at Caol Ruadh Gatehouse to form a single-dwelling house. The design aims to repurpose the current structure, building within and around it to create a contemporary home that respects and revitalizes the existing fabric.

See full project >

QUEENS CROSS CHURCH
Queens Cross Church is a Grade A listed building, designed by the renowned architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. It no longer serves its function of a church, however continues to be used as a base for the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society.

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COMANN EACHDRAIDH SGÌRE A' BHAC
The site of the former school in the district of Back, Isle of Lewis, has been a vacant wound in the area ever since the school buildings were removed.  It is a site of emotional connection and historical association, with many having either being educated there or being related to those who were.

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COMUNN EACHDRAIDH NIS
Reinvigorating a civic Building by transforming the 1878 former Cross School buildings on the Isle of Lewis into a modern museum facility.

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CARLOWAY MILL - Proposals for a Harris Tweed Textile Mill in the Outer Hebrides. The Carloway Mill produces its own yarns and patterns before the beams are sent out to crofters to weave on traditional looms. Following this, the woven textile returns to the mill for meticulous checking, washing, steaming and warping.

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GALLAN HEAD MASTERPLAN
During the cold war the MOD took the headland into their possession to establish a major surveillance including accommodation for around 200 people. This headland and the buildings associated, remained in military control until 2010. The Gallan head community trust has since taken possession of this headland buildings.

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IONAD EILEAN NA H-ÒIGE
The location that inspired Whisky Galore and the site of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s first Scottish landfall, the Isle of Eriskay has an incredibly rich and eclectic history. Affectionately known as ‘Eilean h- Òige’ (the isle of youth), Eriskay was only first populated after the Highland Clearances and has a relatively short history of inhabitants, but a history that could rival any of its neighbours.

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LOBSTER HOUSE. Positioning a new home on a narrow ledge between bedrock and a blackhouse ruin. What to do on a challenging site to amplify the found qualities of the place.

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CROWNING THE CITY - “Rock, Water, Wood and Space” symbolises the natural environment of Finland. The nodes in the landscape is imbued with history and traces of past existences which can be read and understood when presented. Much like a fine Malt Whisky, the landscape provides ingredients for multiple interpretations and close associations between people and their environment.

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WINDYHILL. Building on Mackintosh - Windyhill was the first prototype house from world renowned Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and is his last remaining project still used for its own original purpose.

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HOUSE FOR AN ARCHAEOLOGIST - Building in and of the land. We have also taken cues from extensive analysis of key archaeological sites in the locality, such as Skara Brae and Maeshowe in relation to composition of geometry as well as key drivers and components in relation to the arrangement of domestic life.

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