Originally a 16^th-17th century windmill with a vaulted cellar, this ruined tower was converted to a dovecote in the early eighteenth century and is both a scheduled ancient monument and a listed building. It stands in open countryside with spectacular views of the Cheviot hills to the south. Since it is too small to be converted to any other use, our design ensures its survival by making it the focus of a new sustainable dwelling, bringing together environmental and heritage conservation.

Featured in Grand Designs magazine, the single storey house has a ‘green’ roof and timber cladding to enhance the height and visual dominance of the tower; with a glazed linking corridor and a plan that wraps around and radiates outwards from the dovecote, to maintain its centrality and landmark quality. The low carbon emission design also features enhanced levels of natural insulation, underfloor heating powered by a ground source heat pump and other sustainable technologies. Having obtained full planning permission for the project and scheduled monument consent for the restoration works to the dovecote, we have researched the building and overseen archaeological excavations to clear it and investigate the potence and cellar. The project will breathe new life into the historic ruin and provide the owner with a unique house.