May 18 2022

A growing family of five have secured the future of a working farm in South Lanarkshire, ensuring it remains fit for purpose for the modern era.

Ceangal House sees an 1800s steading, part of a farm documented as being in continuous operation by the family since the 1600s, painstakingly rebuilt with the client laboriously cleaning over 4,000 reclaimed bricks, repurposed as herringbone flooring.

Guided by Loader Monteith Architects, clients James and Lorna Hamilton have rebuilt the structure as an L-plan courtyard home holding out a protective arm against the unforgiving elements on an exposed site. This is joined by a timber-clad office and guest studio to the western site boundary, connected to the main house by a red aluminium and timber pergola.

Characterised by three pitched red gables defining the lobby, kitchen and living areas Ceangal House celebrates its connection to the landscape with end to end open views out to the countryside, removing claustrophobic 'dead ends'. This approach reaches its zenith at a glazed corner reading room while bedrooms reach out to the courtyard directly via glazed doors.

Iain Monteith, director at Loader Monteith, commented: "We were given a clear brief but creative licence by James and Lorna. We envisioned Ceangal House as a place that protects and holds you within the wild Scottish weather, balancing open, light spaces with warm, cosy nooks. This is achieved by the semi-broken plan visually connected by the pitched roof form; the family can be in the main wing together, yet have their own space to enjoy the views beyond.”

Finished in red sinusoidal cladding in an overt reference to agricultural tradition the house makes no concessions to modern life with underfloor heating was made possible by digging 90cm deep foundations below the heavy masonry floor, enabling it to serve as a thermal store, radiating daytime heat by night.

Images shown courtesy of Dapple Photography

8 Comments

#1 Posted by Realist on 18 May 2022 at 18:01 PM

As an architect I enjoy these spaces. As a homeowner and father, I just know that it's not a suitable family home.

That being said - I wish it was my house!

#2 Posted by MV on 19 May 2022 at 10:43 AM

It’s a beautiful thing internally, but when its snowy or wet outside and the wind is tearing at the building, that beautiful brick floor does not project a sense of cosiness.

Picture perfect but practicality poor, perhaps?

#3 Posted by ONE on 19 May 2022 at 10:52 AM

Stunning piece again by Loader/Monteith, the finer details of this project really look to have come out well. Really love this.

#4 Posted by 1.618 on 20 May 2022 at 11:27 AM

Beautiful design and executed detailing throughout. Love seeing the perfect marriage between design & technical construction. Bet it was a labour of love for all involved, but brilliantly executed. As a father/ architect...I'd just give the kids knee-pads :D

#5 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 20 May 2022 at 19:05 PM

Love the big open space - but laughing at them having to heat anything over 4 foot!

#6 Posted by Nairns Bairn on 23 May 2022 at 14:06 PM

The client will be able to spend many a weekend on a stepladder hoovering between those wallhead rafter ends, while marvelling at the unique architect-designed spider habitats..

#7 Posted by The Heart of Saturday Night on 23 May 2022 at 15:06 PM

It's very nicely done, but I'd hate to live in it - very austere and quite uncomfortable looking.

I'm pretty sure they've stolen the roof from a Pollok refurb too, but there we are.

#8 Posted by Cranky McWonky on 23 May 2022 at 21:18 PM

A classic design fail there - the ‘oops’ cranked stove flue, you see that quite often. Forgot there was a valley above there did you guys? Doh!

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