MAFA are pleased that planning has been received for a new house at Gorthleck near Loch Ness.
The proposal is inspired by the existing drystone walls which are the most prominent and enduring feature of the site. It also draws inspiration from the nearby stone ruined farmstead. The proposals are conceived as a series of ‘ruined’ walls and solid plinths in the landscape that organise the site into areas for trees, arrival and parking, garden, shelter and habitation. The new ‘ruined’ walls run parallel and perpendicular to the two long edge boundaries of the site. The solid plinths step to form areas for seating and to mould to the existing site contours. A solid chimney stack with a hearth forms the centre of gravity of the composition that the other elements orbit around. New timber walls wrap around the ‘ruined’ walls forming enclosures. A ‘ruined’ spine wall extends north and south from the chimney stack marking the divide between the living spaces and the sleeping spaces. The site will be planted with native trees so that eventually the house will be nestled on the edge of a wood.