Whitberry: Unveiling the Hidden Secrets and Mysteries
The renovated Whitberry, a Grade B listed Georgian farmhouse in East Lothian, Scotland, now boasts a modern extension designed by Pend Architects. The extension, a contemporary, single-storey addition, aims to unify the fragmented rear elevation of the historic farmhouse and cater to modern family life.
The original rear facade was a disjointed patchwork due to a series of additive extensions, resulting in a cellular internal layout that forced circulation through multiple rooms to access the garden. The new extension consolidates these ad hoc accretions, replacing the patchwork of masonry with a coherent design.
The fluted, blush-toned stone wall, designed by the architects and fabricated in precast concrete, forms the new extension. This wall, topped by a horizontal concrete fascia, visually ties the extension to the neighboring historic elements. The wall's color palette echoes East Lothian's brick and sandstone and nods to the undulations of the adjacent pantile roof.
The kitchen, previously located elsewhere in the farmhouse, has been relocated to the new extension. It benefits from underfloor heating powered by an air source heat pump and opens onto both a small internal courtyard and the garden beyond. A vaulted skylight has been installed in the kitchen, bringing daylight deep into the space, and the skylight's enlarged opening allows daylight to spill into the adjacent dining room.
The boot room and utility space form a threshold between the main house and the annex. A concealed door within the kitchen joinery leads to this space, providing practical storage solutions for the family. The annex, once part of the farmhouse, is now used as a short-term rental.
The project architect, Ben MacFarlane, stated that the goal was to preserve and enhance the building's character and charm. The design aims to achieve this by maintaining the historic fabric of the farmhouse while introducing modern amenities and a more open, functional layout. The reorganisation introduces a clear distinction between public, private, and service areas, ensuring that the farmhouse can accommodate modern family life without compromising its historic integrity.
In summary, Pend Architects' sensitive reworking of Whitberry has transformed the farmhouse into a modern living space that seamlessly blends contemporary design with historic charm. The extension, with its fluted, blush-toned stone wall, provides a coherent design that unifies the fragmented rear elevation and introduces a stronger physical and visual connection to the garden. The internal layout is now more open and functional, catering to the needs of modern family life while preserving the historic fabric of the farmhouse.
[1] Full-height cherry-framed glazing and a flush glass-to-glass corner bring a sense of lightness and porosity to the composition. [2] The wall's color palette echoes East Lothian's brick and sandstone and nods to the undulations of the adjacent pantile roof. [3] The kitchen now opens onto both a small internal courtyard and the garden beyond. [4] The wall is topped by a horizontal concrete fascia that visually ties the extension to the neighboring historic elements. [5] The kitchen benefits from underfloor heating powered by an air source heat pump. [6] A vaulted skylight has been installed in the kitchen, bringing daylight deep into the space. [7] The skylight's enlarged opening allows daylight to spill into the adjacent dining room. [8] The rear elevation of Whitberry was a patchwork of masonry due to a series of additive extensions. [9] The kitchen at Whitberry has been relocated to the new extension. [10] The boot room and utility space form a threshold between the main house and the annex. [11] The project architect, Ben MacFarlane, stated that the goal was to preserve and enhance the building's character and charm. [12] The Leith-based practice aimed to resolve the building's fragmented rear elevation and introduce light-touch interior interventions for modern family life. [13] Whitberry's reorganisation introduces a clear distinction between public, private, and service areas. [14] Pend Architects completed a sensitive reworking of Whitberry.
The new extension at Whitberry, a home-and-garden project, consolidates the fragmented rear elevation of the historic farmhouse, aligning with the aim to promote a modern lifestyle. The kitchen, now situated in the extension, benefits from underfloor heating and opens onto both the internal courtyard and the garden, providing a spacious and functional area for family life.
