Dirleton

Ivy Bank House in Dirleton, East Lothian was home to the newly born triplets of Simon and Susan Morrison. The arrival of the triplets was the impetus for architectural change to the house.

The architects proposal was to semi-demolish the existing build-out, which was in a state of poor repair, and to place in it a nursery at the garden end and a kitchen in the central section. The extension links to the main body of the house via the existing kitchen which was converted into a dining area. In a sense the house wasn't extended at all but the use of the existing spaces was made more efficient and were linked beneficially to the extensive rear garden.

The kitchen is arranged along a gently curving wall with a bank of windows facing out into the garden. The windows themselves are counterweighted and open out in perfect balance to form an overhead canopy leading out to the garden.

These were top hung double glazed bespoke windows in Western Red Cedar and the counter balance, in order to work, had to be pitched in front of the windows centre of gravity and be perfectly matched to the windows weight.

All the windows interlocked and the final window also formed the closing post for the kitchen door. If this doesn't sound complicated remember it was all done on a curved soffit.

Awards

• RIBA award 1999

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