Remote, heathery, craggy, conifer-clumped Argyll sounds like an unlikely setting for a piece of high-concept architecture. But Hundred Acre Wood, a new house fully eight years in the making and referencing Scottish precedents from ancient brochs all the way to Charles Rennie Mackintosh, has announced itself as a striking presence in the landscape.
Making a grand statement, however, was never the main point of this project, either for the architect or the client. "The house is autobiographical and was built around us and our needs as a family," explains the owner. "We're in the fortunate position that we've done what's right for us rather than what might appeal to somebody else."
The story of how Hundred Acre Wood came to be began 15 years ago when the owner spotted the plot for sale. "I was flicking through the Herald's Wednesday property supplement and saw an ad for a plot on Loch Awe," he recalls. "My wife and I had always thought it would be lovely to have a house overlooking the sea. Of course, Loch Awe is not the sea, but we put in an offer anyway and it was accepted. We didn't have a burning desire to live in Argyll; it was very much the plot that sold itself to us rather than us going looking for it."
The couple, first-time self-builders, have a large family and liked the idea of owning a place where everybody could get together. "Fifteen years ago, it was us and our six children. Now we also have three sons-in-law and six grandchildren. Our plan was always about creating space and tranquillity, somewhere away from the crowd. We like extremes, so the peace and quiet in this remote spot really appealed."
Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
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Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Homes & Interiors Scotland.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Escape BOATH HOUSE
An inspirational Georgian manor house in the north-east offers sanctuary to artists, poets and the curious of spirit
Escape THE LOOKOUT
Sun-drenched interiors, right on the beach - it's hard to believe this is Scotland
"It still feels like home. Just nicer"
The owners of this house in Edinburgh didn't intend to give it a complete makeover, but once they started they just couldn't stop
A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY
You need passion to persevere through a lengthy restoration project. Thankfully for this rambling old lodge in Highland Perthshire, its new owners were already head over heels
CLEAN AND POLISH
Ten years in the making, this one-time dental surgery in Portobello has been reshaped as an elegant, practical family home
MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN
You might think the process is purely creative, but designing knitted textiles requires a deep understanding of geometry and pattern calculations. It is intricate and often mathematical. I have learned that knitting demands a constant balance between artistry and engineering. Creating a new textile involves not only selecting colours and yarns but also considering the tensile strength, elasticity and drape of the material. That way, I ensure the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To me, this blend of creativity and technical precision is a fascinating aspect of knitted textile design.
IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
It's all in the details for this slick and multifunctional entertainment space
JUST A HINT OF PINK
This family-orientated Georgian kitchen gets an upgrade in both footprint and finish
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Beauty and the best of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness
LAURA THOMAS
The environmentalist has become a very successful entrepreneur whose products are stocked by Scotland's best hotels