A Modestly Sized, Practical Rural Abode by Loader Monteith Connects Intimately with Its South Lanarkshire Landscape
Horse Estate
Images Courtesy of Dapple Photography
Hailing from Loader Monteith, Equine House is a 155-square-metre residence on a former dairy farm in the heart of South Lanarkshire. Originally, the clients resided in a temporary caravan on the site, establishining their horse livery business. As their operations grew, they sought to build a permanent 360-square-metre house, but with approved plans that felt too impractical and ill-suited for their daily business operations. Thus, they called upon Loader Monteith in 2018 to revamp the original blueprints and create a livable, family-oriented sanctuary tailored to their equine enterprise.
The architects reduced the overall size of the house and devised a cleverly compact, two-story interior layout. This functional floor plan encompasses four bedrooms, a cozy snug, an open-plan kitchen/living space, and a covered outdoor area. By positioning large windows along the east elevation, the design maximizes breathtaking views over the 10-hectare rolling farmland, offering unobstructed panoramas of the South Lanarkshire valley.
The open-plan kitchen/living space extends its connection to nature via a generous triple-glazed window seat. Situated slightly off-center from the floor plan, this visually striking feature is defined by a bold red aluminum frame, with sloping chamfered edges that allow more light to penetrate and provide enchanting skyward vistas. The frame subtly wraps around the south-eastern corner of the building, creating a harmonious, boxy facade.
The upper level accommodates bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a covered patio aligned to catch the morning sun. Environmental consciousness lies at the heart of the project, reflecting the architect's philosophy of building only what is necessary, using only the most sustainable and aesthetically pleasing materials.
Sustainable features abound in this project, including an air source heat pump, elevated insulation, triple-glazing, and underfloor heating. External materials include responsibly-sourced black larch cladding, white render, and recycled aluminum roofing.
Further Aspects to Consider
Sustainable Design Components
- Eco-Friendly Integration: Sustainable designs strive to be inconspicuous, harmonizing with nature and preserving surrounding ecosystems.
- Energy Conservation: Implementing renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and utilizing materials with excellent thermal properties to manage indoor temperatures.
- Responsible Material Selection: Prioritizing locally sourced, eco-friendly materials that boast durability and minimal maintenance requirements.
South Lanarkshire Rural Dwellings
- Idyllic Locales: South Lanarkshire boasts stunning landscapes and verdant hills, offering a tranquil setting for rural residences.
- Scottish Architectural Evolution: Traditional Scottish architecture typically showcases stone facades, slate roofs, and integrating modern sustainable elements.
- Harmonious Coexistence with Nature: Many South Lanarkshire rural homes seek to coexist with their enveloping landscapes, consisting of gardens and outdoor spaces that champion biodiversity.
For specific information or images regarding the "Equine House" by Loader Monteith, you may want to reach out to local architectural firms or peruse design and architecture websites for updates on their ongoing projects.
In the Equine House project by Loader Monteith, the home's design philosophy emphasizes sustainable living, with features such as an air source heat pump, elevated insulation, triple-glazing, and underfloor heating, all aimed at conserving energy and minimizing environmental impact. Reflecting South Lanarkshire's rural dwellings, the home seeks harmonious coexistence with nature, showcasing a garden and outdoor spaces that prioritize biodiversity.
Residing in Equine House, residents can immerse themselves in a lifestyle that seamlessly blends home-and-garden elements with their equine business, fostering a sustainable living environment within the idyllic, verdant South Lanarkshire landscapes.
