August 6 2024

A turn-of-the-century manse and coach house at Spean Bridge nestled within the Nevis Mountain Range is to be turned into holiday accommodation in a conservation-led renewal.

Studio Boyd Architects has obtained planning consent from the Highland Council to secure the future of Masada through a series of modern additions that connect inhabitants with the mountainous landscape.

Removing an existing extension will permit a new annexe to be built, acting in concert with a redeveloped coach house to frame a new arrivals courtyard lined by a covered walkway.

In a project statement, the architects wrote: "The pre-existing architectural hierarchy is strengthened by creating a pairing of ancillary buildings, matched in scale and materiality, which wrap around a sheltered arrival courtyard to the rear of the site, helping form a clear legibility with the existing two storey stone fronted villa.

"New outward looking aspects have been added including an elongated west facing dormer to the 1st floor living accommodation of the existing coach house – providing a direct connection with the mature woodland and views to the Nevis Mountain range beyond.

"The project aims to achieve a high standard in sustainable development, implementing a ground source heat pump to replace the current oil-fired heating system and prioritising retaining as much existing structure as possible. New interventions will be constructed predominantly from timber frame and wood fibre insulation with natural lime and clay finishes inside and out."

The planned annexe will serve as an entrance vestibule to the main house, mediating between indoors and outdoors, leading to an open plan kitchen, dining and social space overlooking a hot tub terrace. 

4 Comments

#1 Posted by cadmonkey on 6 Aug 2024 at 16:53 PM

Nice.
Does anyone know the spec of the table in image 4?
I want one.

#2 Posted by KB on 6 Aug 2024 at 17:28 PM

#1 It's the Alanda 18' Coffee Table. Classic 1980s.

#3 Posted by L on 7 Aug 2024 at 09:23 AM

Now this is beautiful and refreshing. The clear separation of spaces, the nice contrasts between materials, the internal connection with nature and the respect to the vernacular Scottish architecture. More like this please.

#4 Posted by Lovely on 8 Aug 2024 at 21:34 PM

Very nice and respectful high quality and low-key design, it is pleasing to see this.

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