Affrusk Cottage
Shortlisted for the 2023 Aberdeen Society of Architects Design awards!
As you approach Affrusk Cottage there is no doubt it holds its own and belongs in its stunning agricultural setting just outside the town of Banchory, Aberdeenshire.
The house is a modern t-shaped plan design with pitched roofs and provides a contemporary reflection of the character and scale of agricultural buildings in the local area. The use of building materials such as slate, granite and timber are both long lasting and commonplace in the north east of Scotland.
The car port provides practical shelter for vehicles, but also helps to create a seamless transition between the house and the adjacent craft room. The main entrance was formed using local granite stonework, with a recessed lime based mortar. Using granite at the entrance provided an immediate link to the existing historic mill building that still sits on the site today. Surrounded by spectacular views the setting demanded large glazed elements. The open plan layout and vaulted ceiling contribute to a feeling of openness and spaciousness, while the raw oak barn style sliding door adds a unique, bespoke touch. The inclusion of a reading window surrounded by oak panelling and bookshelves adds a cosy, inviting atmosphere to the space.
Siberian larch cladding was used on various single storey aspects of the building. The cladding was set out in a varying width modular fashion, planned by the Architect, and provides a natural irregularity to its appearance. Apart from the sustainable a aesthetic benefits, this material choice was in direct response to the site context which is surrounded by woodland.
The combined choice of materials create a uniform natural colour palette whilst giving a modest contemporary feel to the building form. The materials are purposely broken up by a change in either use or emphasising a specific building element.