Easter Kincaple: A Modern Rural Restoration

Situated on an elevated site overlooking the Eden Estuary, near St Andrews, Easter Kincaple is a modern rural restoration that balances the preservation of a 19th-century farmstead with the requirements of contemporary living.

The project involved revitalizing a derelict historic structure, stripping away unsympathetic mid-century additions to reveal the building’s original masonry. The resulting home is a dialogue between old and new—where traditional Fife architecture meets the light, transparent volumes of a timber-clad extension.

Architectural Narrative
The design is organised around the contrast between the solid, protective nature of the stone farmhouse and the openness of the new additions. By utilising the footprint of former outbuildings, we extended the living space without compromising the site’s historical scale.

A structural glass corridor serves as the threshold between eras, allowing the original stone gable to remain a visible feature of the interior. This "break" leads into a minimalist, barn-like wing featuring large-format glazing that captures panoramic views toward the St Andrews skyline. The floor plan transitions from the intimate, thick-walled rooms of the original house to an expansive, vaulted open-plan social space designed for modern life.

Sustainability
Sustainability was a core pillar of this modern rural restoration. Beyond the inherent carbon savings of reusing the existing stone fabric, the building was upgraded with high-performance wood-fiber insulation and a ground-source heat pump. By combining traditional lime-work with high-spec contemporary glazing, the project demonstrates how redundant agricultural buildings can be repurposed into energy-efficient, 21st-century homes.