East Lothian Boathouse & Bothy

The date of construction of the original building is unknown and comprised single storey traditional stone masonry walls supporting a timber hipped roof. Before redevelopment the building was in a deteriorated state and required a series of repairs to take place in order for the new proposals to be constructed.

Working closely with the project team, Narro provided structural design expertise to support both repair works and new build elements. Our design ensured the integrity of the original structure while enabling its adaptation for the proposed development. The original stone walls were maintained, allowing the building to continue to be used as a boathouse. The original roof was removed and in its place a single storey timber space was constructed that was to house a studio for the Client. A new timber roof was installed over the building that took the same pyramidal form of the original roof, maintaining the essential nature of the existing building.

A key part of the project was creating an exposed timber floor that would span over the boathouse space and support the studio space above, whilst also supporting a new timber walkway within the boathouse space below. To do this a central steel support was designed to span across the width of the building which would support the exposed timber floor joists set at 1.2m centres. Close coordination with the wider design team and consideration of the aesthethic requirements of the exposed elements was crucial to create the desired spaces.

The completed East Lothian Boathouse now serves as a studio space for the Client, enabling them to retreat from everyday life and provides a quiet space to work, study and write, ancillary to the main house.