Saltire Housing Design Award 2017 – Commendation
Living spaces are located within the original Coire church, with an adjoining black zinc-clad bedroom wing that echoes the duopitched form of the church. Additionally, a flat-roofed semi-basement swimming pool is also present alongside. By removing the majority of the ground floor gable wall up to eaves level, we maximised views from the church wing. The remaining masonry above is supported using steel beams spanning on to slender columns. We also designed feature scissor timber roof trusses in the church building, which make use of the vaulted ceilings.
The bedroom wing is of timber framed construction, with feature overhanging balcony. The swimming pool block partially lies below ground, making the substructure relatively complicated. A green roof is present over the pool roof, with beam and block concrete spanning on to blockwork walls overclad in stone, and a reinforced concrete Stepoc wall pool substructure. The swimming pool features a fully glazed loch facing elevation. Foul water from the buildings drains to a package treatment with soakaway, whilst surface water drains to a nearby water course. We also designed a simple timber framed boatshed at the water front, and designed strengthening for an access bridge.
Coire Church is a truly stunning example of how refurbishing historic structures can have amazing results.
