The extension to Tarnavie Cottage, which is situated in open countryside between the villages of Dunning and Auchterarder, in Perthshire, Scotland has been designed since at least 1999. If it finally is built this year, it will almost double the size of the existing accommodation, providing new living space at ground floor level and a study/guest bedroom upstairs.
The extension consists of a two storey timber clad "tower", with a single storey link to the cottage. The tower creates a vertical element to what is presently a low pitched squat cottage and also provide the clients' with their first views over the surrounding Perthshire landscape from their house. An unusual earth mound in the adjacent landscape called "The Ship" presently blocks all views to the north, but the tower, thanks to a galvanized steel balcony overcomes this barrier. The clients, both ecologists, wanted a house which responded to the local landscape and climate. However, the cottage receives no direct sunlight at all during the winter months due to surrounding hills. In response to this, Grant Bulloch designed a glazed living area which opens up to the garden in summer but a simple folding external timber shutter allows partial or full protection from the elements in winter, and when there would be no possiblity of passive solar gain.
Externally the timber, glass and render finishes are layered so that the two storey tower looks as if it should slide or fold away towards the existing cottage. Corner glazing peels away these layers in various amounts depending on the clients' wishes, to open up the internal spaces in summer. The external envelope is then only punctured only by the glazing and the steel of the bacony and flue.
Internally, an angled wall along the east side of the extension is recessed to create a space for the log burning stove as well as a fuel store, book shelving and other features. A glass block wall between the entrance hall and dining area allows light to filter through from east/west or vice versa, and above the main living area the roof is full height, lowering to conventional levels under the two storey part of the house. The stair rises up from the gable wall of the extension to the upper level, behind a centrally placed etched glass balustrade.