Edinburgh-based architecture studio Pend has completed a striking renovation of a Grade B-listed Georgian farmhouse in East Lothian, Scotland, adding a contemporary extension clad in fluted, blush-toned precast stone blocks. The heritage property, named Whitberry, had undergone numerous piecemeal additions over the years, resulting in a fragmented "cellular" interior layout that failed to connect with the home's expansive rear garden.
Pend was commissioned to create a larger kitchen space that would restore the connection between the historic house and its outdoor spaces. The studio designed a minimal, contemporary extension featuring a full-height glazed corner and sliding doors that open directly onto the garden. The new addition serves as a transitional space that belongs both to the house and to the garden, effectively bridging the interior and exterior environments.
The extension's distinctive materiality draws inspiration from the existing building's pink-painted frontage and the reddish tones of the East Lothian sandstone used in the rear elevation. The studio clad the new structure in blush-toned precast stone with red metalwork details, creating a contextually sympathetic yet distinctive addition. "We were conscious of the various historic additions that the property had undergone since its conception, and we were keen to use this new extension to stabilize the visual appearance of the rear elevation," explained Ben McFarlane, associate at Pend.
The design takes cues from the property's walled garden, with McFarlane noting that "the form was more suggestive of the walled garden. A low, linear extension with a strong horizontal datum reflected the perimeter walls and allowed the kitchen extension to sit comfortably as a transitional space." The studio topped the extension with a concrete fascia colored to match the mortar of the existing walls, maintaining visual continuity while establishing the addition as a contemporary intervention.
Relocating the kitchen from a previously dark central area to the new skylit extension enabled a complete reconfiguration of the interior spaces into three distinct zones. The center of the plan now features a living room, dining room, and kitchen that form a visual and spatial axis connecting the front and rear of the home, culminating in access to a garden patio. The eastern section houses service areas including laundry and utility spaces alongside a separate annexe used as a holiday rental, while the western wing contains private spaces such as a formal drawing room and bedrooms.
A carefully designed seating nook tucked alongside the kitchen showcases the thoughtful integration of old and new elements. Here, the exposed sandstone walls of the original home are framed by a corner of full-height glazing and a thin, red-painted steel column. The relocated kitchen is crowned with a skylight that floods the space with natural light, transforming what was once a dark interior area into a bright, welcoming heart of the home.
McFarlane emphasized the studio's careful study of the property's material heritage, stating, "We took time to study the property and were inspired by the different forms of masonry which were present. Local red-colored sandstone had been used in various bonds and with differing finishes, each reflecting the skills and technologies available at the time of their construction and together creating a materially-rich patchwork to the garden." This research informed the extension's material palette and construction techniques.
Founded in 2021 by Jamie Anderson, Pend operates from Leith, Edinburgh, with a focus on residential projects. The Whitberry project represents the studio's approach to heritage architecture, demonstrating how contemporary additions can enhance historic properties while respecting their original character. The project continues the building's natural evolution over time, adding another chapter to its architectural history while addressing the practical needs of modern living.
The completed renovation showcases how thoughtful architectural intervention can transform a fragmented historic property into a cohesive family home. By carefully balancing contemporary functionality with heritage sensitivity, Pend has created an extension that feels both of its time and timeless, establishing a new standard for additions to listed buildings in Scotland.
