Conservation and Renovation

Conserving buildings is the first principle of ecological architecture, due to the embodied energy that they contain. We have extensive experience in the sympathetic renovation and adaptation of old buildings using traditional and new materials and techniques.

Derelict building

Rebuilding work

Internal

Derelict building

The Cart Shed Studio

The Cart Shed Studio at Tombreck is the main office of our practice and now also hosts the Tombreck Farm Shop. It was subject to a major re-build, with work taking place between 2004 and 2007. The aim of the project was to explore the use of completely local materials - farm based if possible, and to use self-build labour and volunteers.Alder sourced from the farm woodlands, was used for the jointed and pegged, round pole green timber frame which was was constructed on site. The mortice and tenon joints were so accurate, the builders were able to erect the frame in a single day. The frame sits internally within the building, and all the joints are clearly visible.
The insulation was from sheep's wool from the Tombreck farm sheep. The wool was washed, dried and 'fluffed' up before being placed into the especially constructed roof and wall spaces. Volunteers helped to install the wool, carried out lime harling externally, clay plastering internally and used site made 'milk paint' to finish the internal walls. The result is a very unique and special space.

Morenish Chapel

A Category B listed former memorial chapel, built in the Arts and Crafts style. It was commissioned in 1902 by Aline Elizabeth Todd, wife of Sir Joseph White Todd, Baronet, in memory of her daughter Elvira Todd Henderson who died in childbirth. Aline and Joseph are buried at Morenish in two highly decorative bronze sarcophagi in the grounds of the chapel.Morenish Chapel is a fine example of a memorial chapel with a richly symbolic crafted Arts and Craft decoration to the interior and highly decoration sarcophagi to the exterior. The building was executed to a high specification for its scale and location; with a wealth of architectural treatment and attention to detail to its interior and exterior.For many years the building was unused and neglected, but has now been purchased for use as a family holiday home. The new owners are enthusiastic about the building and wish to install a bathroom and bedroom while retaining the original features.

Careston Hall

A former village hall near Brechin, Careston Village Hall was converted into a family house, with careful attention to detail using wood fibre insulation board and lime plasters. The owners are planning to build a new hempcrete extension to the west to provide further bedrooms and a new entrance.