STUDIO
ILDSJEL

Set within the rural landscape of the Scottish Borders, Belses Moor Farm Cottage brings together the repair and adaptation of an existing home with a considered new extension and outbuilding.

The extension takes its cues from the agricultural buildings that shape the surrounding landscape, particularly the large shed opposite. Its simple form and corrugated metal roof draw on this familiar rural materiality, while vertical untreated larch cladding will weather naturally over time, allowing the building to settle into its setting.

The design balances a contemporary approach with the character of the existing cottage, using a restrained palette of materials and a clear distinction between old and new. The result is an extension rooted in its agricultural context, designed to meet the needs of modern living while respecting the character of this rural place.