The house replaces a group of 19th century farm buildings that had fallen into disrepair. Its courtyard shape echoes their original layout, offering a central space sheltered from the weather with a layout consisting of a main house with a half-timbered office and a guest studio to the west, connected by a red aluminum and wood pergola.
The general shape of the house is characterized by three inclined red gables whose volume increases from east to west.
Inside, the volumes formed by the gables accommodate a hall, a kitchen, a dining room, a living room and a reading room, with a guest bedroom contained on the first floor of the largest. The north-south wing contains the children’s bedrooms leading to the master bedroom in the northern part of the house.
The design of the house is intended to celebrate the long connection to the surrounding land of the family that lives there, with a continuous view of the surrounding farmland. This connection is also reflected in the name of the house, Ceangal, which is derived from Scottish Gaelic meaning “to bind”.
A large glass-enclosed corner reading room is designed to provide a quiet space to rest and watch the weather, while each downstairs bedroom connects directly to the private courtyard through sliding or French doors. Large expanses of triple glazing along the south elevation of the house are meant to open its interiors to the changing seasons outside.
The program has recovered 90% of the original masonry from the old construction, using it throughout the new house. Customers also hand-cleaned and salvaged over 4,000 locally cast bricks, which were used to lay a herringbone floor, to serve as the base for the new home, as well as act as a thermal release reservoir. underfloor heating.
To keep running costs low, the house is highly insulated, with triple glazing throughout and super insulated metal siding. It also has an air heat pump and a rainwater recovery system.
Externally, the red sinusoidal cladding references the agricultural heritage of the site and surrounding region, while reinforcing the house’s presence in the wider landscape. It also features reclaimed sandstone cladding.
Architect’s view
The clients, James and Lorna, gave us clear, brief, but creative license. We imagined Ceangal House as a place that protects and sustains you in the wild Scottish climate, balancing open, light-filled spaces with warm, cozy nooks. This is achieved by the semi-broken plan, visually connected by the shape of the sloping roof; the family can be together in the main wing, while having their own space to enjoy the view beyond.
Iain Monteith, Director, Loader Monteith
The customer’s point of view
Growing up in the Scottish Highlands, I always had the ambition to build a house of architectural merit that would allow me to enjoy the outdoors all year round. Ceangal House is just that, an interesting and beautifully designed home which we hope will contribute to our children’s appreciation for design, local crafts and materials, and family history.
The farm has been in my wife’s family for generations, so we have a strong connection to the land and the materials used in the construction, many of which have been salvaged and reused in the old stone and brick farm buildings.
My favorite place is the living room. The large windows cast wonderful light around the sloping ceiling, and it’s a very nice place to relax.
James Hamilton, customer
Project data
Start on site March 2020
Completion August 2021
Gross interior area 220m2 (house) 50m2 (studio)
Form of contract or supply route SBCC 2016 Minor Works Contract with Contractors Design
Building cost undisclosed
Architect Monteith Charger
Clients James and Lorna Hamilton
structural engineer Intuitive
CDM Coordinator CDM principle
Main contractor Construction Lawrie
Interior styling Nordic Living by Biehl
Carpentry Construction Lawrie
CAD software usedAutoCAD
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