Grassmiston Farmhouse, Fife

The existing building is a 2 storey farmhouse as part of the Grassmiston steading complex that was built circa 1860. In approx. 2012 the Farmhouse suffered from a major fire on the first floor of the building that resulted in significant damage to the property. The new proposal is to renovate and revive the farmhouse into a new modern home. 
 
The key elements of the project were: 
 

• Creation of a 4  bedroom house including 1no. Master suite (ensuite) 
• Replace roof (contemporary standing seam metal bedroom ‘suite’)  
• New extension at rear (including demolition of existing sun-room) 
• Create improved entrance to the farmhouse 
• modern interpretation of existing building, new ‘high quality’ elements to contrast with existing building 
   

At Ground Floor level, part of the former Kitchen/WC space belonging to the adjacent House will relocate across to the Farmhouse to create a cleaner divide between the 2 properties. This will form a small utility and WC accessed from the main farmhouse via re-opening an original bricked up doorway. An existing fire damaged concrete stair will be replaced, and the majority of the ground floor area will form an open plan living and kitchen spaces.  
 
Creating an improved entrance was a key part of the brief and removing the conservatory will allow for direct access to the entrance Porch from the east, and will be visible from the main approach. The proposal is to demolish the existing porch and reconstruct a new one in the same footprint, with a new flat roof plane that extends around to the East Elevation to further signify the new main entrance to the building. 
 
A new rear extension will create a dining space off the kitchen, with bi-folding doors to connect the spaces to the patio and garden. The roof of the extension will tie in with the new entrance roof. A small roof lantern is located above the dining space to let natural light into both the dining and kitchen spaces. 
 
Throughout the existing farmhouse building the majority of existing window openings will be retained and re-used with the existing windows being repaired and replaced as necessary. Alongside the removal of the conservatory, to ensure lots of natural light enters the living space, the existing large opening is made slightly wider to accommodate large glazed window adjacent to the main approach to the house. 
 
The key strategy to create the 4 bedroom house was via the second floor accommodation. Due to the fact the existing roof is not there a new storey is added clad in standing seam metal to provide a visual contrast to the original farmhouse. Both chimneys at either side of the farmhouse will be removed to accommodate this, and to further define the clear separation between existing and new a horizontal break is created at the East Elevation Gable (removing some of the existing stone and chimney). The grey metal ties in with other areas of the main Steading complex (dormer window extensions, gable end walls). 
 
 
View 3 
The views above show the existing and proposed views of the South Elevation/rear of the property. The views illustrate the existing stonework and openings being retained, with the new metal clad storey at the top level. The new Ground Floor extension and entrance canopy will tie in with the same metal material as the new second floor bedroom suite. 
 
View 4 
The views above illustrate the proposal to remove the conservatory, and shows the new entrance roof canopy that extends around to the East Elevation - making clear the new main entrance to the building.  
 
View 5 
The views above illustrate the Gable end and approach to the Farmhouse and steading. The proposal shows the redundant chimney being removed and replaced with a metal clad pitched roof element that mimics the pitched roof of the adjacent steading.  
 
View 6 
The views above capture the differences at the North Elevation to the building. The ground floor is unaltered, and from this side the new metal box will fit neatly into the existing stonework.  
 
View 9 
The existing and proposed views above show the sympathetic nature of the proposal, which will result in a modern addition to the existing building. The old and new elements are distinctly evident.