Pend Architects, a Leith-based architectural practice, has successfully completed an extensive renovation and expansion of Whitberry, a Grade B-listed Georgian farmhouse located in Tyninghame, East Lothian, Scotland. The project, which began construction in June 2023 and was completed in March 2024, represents a thoughtful balance between historical preservation and contemporary family living needs.

Working closely with clients who served as project managers, the architects addressed the fragmented nature of the property's rear elevation while introducing carefully planned interventions to support modern family life. The existing house featured a jumbled mix of brick and sandstone additions that had been added over various periods, creating a patchwork appearance that reflected different masonry techniques from their respective eras.

The centerpiece of the renovation is a distinctive contemporary extension featuring a fluted pinkish stone façade, cherry wood-framed sliding doors, and a colored concrete fascia. This new addition was specifically designed to both unify and complement the existing structure's varied materials and architectural styles. A small courtyard space has been strategically created between the new extension and the original house, providing a transitional area that connects the old and new elements.

The extension houses a new open-plan kitchen that replaces the previous kitchen, which had been isolated from the garden and constrained by poor natural lighting. The original kitchen, located in the center of the floor plan, was particularly problematic for the family due to its dark, narrow design and single small north-facing window. The new kitchen now serves as the central heart of the home, offering dual-aspect views of both the garden and the small courtyard while providing easy outdoor access.

According to Ben MacFarlane, associate at Pend Architects, the project represented an opportunity to become part of the building's ongoing story. "We began by analyzing what gave the existing property so much character and charm, enabling us to learn how to preserve and enhance this through our own interventions," MacFarlane explained. "We were strongly convinced that our designs, like the extensions before them, should be contemporary and reflective of the construction technologies available at the time."

The architectural team approached the project holistically, taking time to understand the family's daily routines and needs. With three young children and several dogs, the household required practical solutions for managing daily comings and goings from both the front and back of the house. This understanding directly informed the placement of external openings and built-in storage solutions, preventing muddy boots and sports equipment from traveling through the main living areas.

The renovation involved significant reconfiguration of the ground floor's previously cellular layout and circulation patterns. The architects identified several interior zones – private, public, and service areas – and worked closely with the clients to develop a cohesive spatial plan. While maintaining functional distinctions, greater emphasis was placed on public areas, particularly the dining room and kitchen, which were expanded and reconfigured to encourage family togetherness and create better flow between spaces.

Special attention was paid to maximizing natural light given the north-facing orientation of the rear elevation. A large vaulted skylight brings daylight deep into the kitchen space, while a wide internal opening allows light to filter through to the adjoining dining room, creating continuous brightness and spatial flow throughout the ground floor areas.

The extension's design carefully balances contemporary aesthetics with contextual appropriateness. The fluted stone wall interrupts the existing façade while shifting into full-height glazing with cherry timber-framed sliding doors and a discrete glass-to-glass corner detail. A horizontal, light-colored concrete fascia visually ties together the previously disjointed historic extensions, while the blush-toned precast stone wall continues the narrative of masonry additions using materials and techniques reflective of current construction methods.

Sustainability features include underfloor heating integrated throughout the ground floor and powered by an air-source heat pump, providing a new and efficient system for heating the house's water. The project also includes service rooms such as a laundry and boot room, which form a practical threshold between the main house and an annexe that is now used as an Airbnb rental property.

The total gross internal floor area encompasses 408 square meters, including a 70-square-meter annexe, with Pend Architects' scope covering 114 square meters. The project team included David Narro Engineers for structural engineering, Archispek for kitchen design, and D & C Smith Builders as the main contractor, with Pend serving as both architect and principal designer.

The successful completion of this project demonstrates how sensitive architectural intervention can enhance historic properties while meeting contemporary family needs, creating a harmonious blend of old and new that respects the building's heritage while providing modern functionality.