Strathaven Mill

This project is situated within the grounds of an established country house in Lanarkshire, near Glasgow. The mill house was originally part of a grouping of buildings and has been disused for many years. In recent times the building was converted into a guesthouse for visitors to the main country house. The project brief required us to submit a planning application for a large family home within the conversion of the mill house. We recognised that it was important to maintain the detached building identity for the mill as it was originally placed on the site. Our early discussions with the local Planning department only required us to maintain the outer walls of the original mill building.

Strathaven Mill

The plan form is simple and opens up the rear elevation to a landscaped garden. This diagram created private spaces concealed from the main house and respected its privacy. The plan is connected by an atrium space, aligned on the axis of a disused waterwheel. The cross section of the site is exposed within this atrium by way of a wide timber staircase. The form of the staircase reflects the workings of the original forms of the waterwheel. The rear elevation has a contemporary design. A timber clad, double height box wraps around the existing mill walls and encloses the dance studio. The lower section of this box is glazed with folding doors that open onto the terrace. The family living room is located to the west of the entrance. There is a split-level floor section between the kitchen and dining space that over look the double height living room.

Strathaven Mill

Credits

Private House.
Lanarkshire, Scotland.
2008-2009

Client: Private
Gross floor Area: 550m²
Architect: Guido MacLellan
Structural Engineer: N/A
Contractor: N/A
CGI: DW Design