Planning Permission has been granted for timber-clad extensions to a Highland home.

D² architect was invited to produce an outline deisgn to expand the client’s holiday home in the Highlands. Currently restricted by a lack of space, the client wished to provide additional amenity in the way of an Orangery and additional space to the ground floor bedrooms.

The Orangery is comprised of a deceptively simple lean-to glazed and timber clad form with sliding louvres to offer protection from the summer sun (it does exist in the Highlands!). The louvres also act as an external shade to create a semi-permeable cover to the external decking; when the home is not in use, the louvres close over providing a degree of privacy.

The second extension consists of a wrap around of black timber cladding, providing additional space to the existing bedrooms as well as forming that most important of Highland features - A porch and front entrance lobby to decant the client from the elements of the outdoors to the warmth and comfort of within.

Further internal arrangements seek to improve the quality of the internal spaces by increasing the size and functionality of the Utility, Shower room and entrance hall space, with an opening rooflight directly above the shower and entrance into the house proper. Additional light has been introduced where possible by the formation of new windows or the increase in size of existing.

Detailing the Orangery provided challenges to ensure that the patent glazing, timber clad roof and walls and sliding timber louvres were all integrated and interfaced with each other.

Additional comforts include; heated slab floor and wood burning stove to the Orangery; new South facing balcony to the first floor bedroom; star-gazing rooflight to the ground floor bedroom; sedum roof to the wrap around extension.

Building warrant is currently being submitted.