Private Dwelling - Cults Hill

MFA was appointed to secure planning permission for the restoration of a small ruinous cottage occupying an elevated site on Cults Hill, enjoying panoramic views across the surrounding Fife countryside.  Whilst the existing building had fallen into significant disrepair, it retained a simple vernacular character that provided the foundation for the proposed design.

The brief was to create a comfortable 3 bedroom family home whilst respecting the scale and rural character of the original cottage.  Achieving this required a carefully considered design approach that balanced the need for additional accommodation with the desire to preserve the building's traditional appearance and relationship with the landscape.

The proposals included the construction of a traditionally detailed rear extension together with a modest increase in the wallhead height of approximately 400mm, allowing the internal accommodation to be significantly enhanced without fundamentally altering the proportions of the original structure.  The extension was deliberately positioned to the rear of the property, ensuring that the principal elevation retained its simple cottage form.

A palette of natural and locally appropriate materials, including stone, render and larch cladding, was employed to reinforce the connection between the new and existing elements.  Careful attention was paid to detailing, roof forms and fenestration to ensure that the extended dwelling remained sympathetic to the character of the original building while providing a contemporary family home suited to modern living.