We came to this project through competitive tender. Despite the imposing figure and cultural history of the building and its setting within the horticultural phenomenon that is Inverewe Gardens, the House is not protected by any listed status. We nonetheless approached the interventions and improvements made with a side towards good conservation practise.
The House sits in the centre of the Gardens and prominently in the shore when viewed from across Poolewe. It was last occupied by Mairi Sawyer, who fostered and developed the Gardens upon inheriting them from their originator; her father Osgood Mackenzie.
Our task, as design team leader, was to explore ways in which the principal rooms at ground floor level could be brought in to the visitor experience whilst providing support spaces and commercial uses. In the upper levels we have delivered two separate apartments for holiday lets through two clever interventions and an extension. In the North range of outbuildings, a café has been installed at one end and a multi-purpose space at the other with service facilities in between.
The most transformational change, however, was the bold opening up effected to make a courtyard - giving opportunities to see through and cross the formerly high-walled and trapped middle ground.
We came to this project through competitive tender. Despite the imposing figure and cultural history of the building and its setting within the horticultural phenomenon that is Inverewe Gardens, the House is not protected by any listed status. We nonetheless approached the interventions and improvements made with a side towards good conservation practise.
The House sits in the centre of the Gardens and prominently in the shore when viewed from across Poolewe. It was last occupied by Mairi Sawyer, who fostered and developed the Gardens upon inheriting them from their originator; her father Osgood Mackenzie.
Our task, as design team leader, was to explore ways in which the principal rooms at ground floor level could be brought in to the visitor experience whilst providing support spaces and commercial uses. In the upper levels we have delivered two separate apartments for holiday lets through two clever interventions and an extension. In the North range of outbuildings, a café has been installed at one end and a multi-purpose space at the other with service facilities in between.
The most transformational change, however, was the bold opening up effected to make a courtyard - giving opportunities to see through and cross the formerly high-walled and trapped middle ground.
