13 Huntly Cottages is a terraced property in the middle of a four-dwelling block located within the conservation area of Aboyne. The original house is of traditional natural granite with a slate roof and traditional dormer windows. The property sits on the north-western side of the plot, which extends southeast and has a long private garden area.

The client’s brief was to increase the size of the living area and take full advantage of the natural light and solar gains afforded to the plot. Consideration was given to the constraints imposed by the existing building. Namely, the presence of a dormer window to a first-floor bedroom that needed to be kept without impacting the views out of, or light into, this room.

A modern approach was taken with the extension taking the form of a cube. This design allowed the extension to maintain a low profile that did not impact on the dormer window to the first-floor bedroom. The flat roof was perfect for the inclusion of a large sky lantern light to complement the oversized south-facing window, allowing for impressive amounts of natural light into the extension and house.