Garden Villa St Andrews
This lovely family home sits within its own walled garden. It has an idyllic south-facing setting, with abundant planting, flowers, paths, and mature trees. It has the rare feeling of a ‘secret garden’ in the heart of St Andrews. The project included the full refurbishment of the historic villa including energy efficiency improvements, the addition of two new extensions providing increased and improved living space, provision of a new garage with a treetop studio and extensive landscape works. What was a dilapidated existing building with limited connections and spaces has been transformed into a wonderful family home. We intentionally designed the extensions and new spaces in a contemporary style while respecting the original character of the existing house. The clients now have a home that offers both the charm of a traditional building along with the desirability of open plan living.
A new contemporary extension provides an additional dining space, the full height glazing providing a more direct and visual connection to the lush garden beyond. New connections to the drawing room and the relocated kitchen in the existing building, allows for flow between all of these spaces, providing a continuous, spacious, light-filled living area. The extension is clad in dark natural copper and features a green sedum roof. Its walls are almost entirely glazed and open at the corner to provide full enjoyment of the garden and foliage. Although contemporary in nature, the extension complements the existing traditional house through its use of high-quality materials with a strong patina colour that sits harmoniously alongside the original stonework. The work also introduced a contemporary glass link between what had once been two separate properties, plus a substantial new extension providing a new family ‘den’ for entertainment. It was designed as a continuation of the sweeping, curving stone boundary wall, reinforcing the clients’ brief for the property to feel like a “secret garden” and strengthening its connection to the surrounding landscape. The project has transformed a tired and neglected building into a remarkable family home, ensuring its long-term future while respecting the character of the original villa. The proposals were met with praise from the St Andrews Preservation Trust, which described them as ‘inspirational’ and as ‘an enhancement to the conservation area’. The project went on to win the Dundee Institute of Architects Design Awards.
“We remain so grateful for – and impressed by – the wonderful team of advisers working on the project. Stephen in particular continues to do the most fantastic job of pulling everything together, with constant focus and attention to detail. Having Anna and Susanne and Carolyn on board from the early stages has also ensured that every room of the house and the garden are all staring to flow together beautifully.” Client
“The architects skilfully married the traditional with the contemporary and came up with such a unique plan that it took the breath away from the committee, a very rare occasion, but one which deserved the letter of support we sent to Fife Council” The St Andrews Preservation Trust
Photography: Lorn Macneal Architects & Carolyn Grohmann, Secret Garden Designs
Video: Jacob Murray
Main Contractor: West End Builders
Structural Engineer: Structral Design Consultants
Quantity Surveyor: Hardies Property Services
Landscape Designer: Carolyn Grohmann, Secret Garden Design
Interior Designer: Anna Mills Interiors
DIA DESIGN AWARDS: Winner