Set within a C-listed building in a conservation area in Darnick in the Scottish Borders, this project focused on reworking a constrained kitchen positioned between the original house and a later 1990s extension. The brief was not to increase footprint, but to make the space function more effectively - improving flow, usability, and overall quality of light within a tight envelope.
A key move involved rationalising the external openings. The existing rear window was replaced with a set of glazed doors to strengthen the connection to the garden, while the former side access door was reconfigured as a window. This allowed the kitchen to adopt a more coherent L-shaped arrangement, improving circulation and creating a clearer relationship between cooking, preparation, and dining.
A new rooflight was introduced to bring daylight deeper into the plan, transforming what was previously a relatively enclosed space into one that feels brighter and more generous. Despite the modest scale of intervention, the project required both planning consent and a building warrant, carefully balancing contemporary living requirements with the sensitivities of a listed building context. It is anticipated the project will be complete summer 2026.