Holiday Lodge Wins Architectural Award
In 2005, David Ibbotson, owner of Knockinaam Lodge, looked out to sea from the hotel’s gardens, overlooking the private beach and had an idea. Where he stood was an area of unused land, a short stroll from his 10-bedroom luxury hotel and with the breath-taking view in front of him he decided here was the perfect location to build a luxury lodge that would be different yet complementary to the hotel, originally a Victorian hunting lodge.
After fourteen years of careful consideration that idea transformed into an award-winning holiday lodge.
Accessibility a Priority for this Luxury Holiday Cottage
Creating a fully accessible self-catering cottage was a priority of the project, which began in earnest when Moniaive architect, John Murray was invited to create the design for this luxury holiday cottage, set in a secluded spot with unbroken views out to sea with all the amenities of a luxury hotel to hand.
The design began and the ideas flowed, with David and Sian Ibbotson both taking a keen interest in every stage of this project. As the design developed, a name for this new self-catering cottage was agreed: Shingle Lodge.
Architect John Murray explains: “The plan was to create a fully accessible holiday cottage providing level access for those who have difficulty negotiating the stairs in the hotel and to provide alternative, more contained accommodation for families with children.”
After bringing John onboard springtime 2015, the build began in September that same year and was completed five months later.
Designs on a Holiday Cottage with a Sea View
Set in such a beautiful location with stunning uninterrupted seas views, David and Sian wanted not only a practical design that offered full accessibility, but a holiday cottage that had the wow factor. It was also important to the couple that Shingle Lodge did not spoil the unique character of the surroundings to Knockinaam Lodge, a hotel that has been loving refurbished by David and Sian since they bought it over 15 years ago.
Showing sensitivity to the unique sense of place of the cove was a priority, making it essential that this new holiday cottage did not detract from this and the beauty of the stunning landscape was maintained.
John explains how his design worked alongside not only the hotel’s original Victorian building but the natural environment: “Shingle Lodge is situated to the north west of the hotel in the less formal part of the grounds, positioned in the landscape to have good privacy from the hotel and enjoy the views and provide shelter. Conceived as a garden structure, it does not try to match or compete with the mass and materiality of the existing stone and rendered hotel building.”
Given the garden location, the exterior wall and roof finish is of Western Red Cedar shingles, carefully set out to course neatly around windows, external door openings and at the eaves. The shingles inspired the name for the cottage and form a durable, tightly wrapped exterior finish that blends with the surrounding natural landscape.
A luxury holiday cottage that adds to the amenities of this luxury hotel in Dumfries & Galloway
Shingle Lodge is set in the grounds of Knockinaam Lodge hotel and increases the range of guest accommodation available at Knockinaam.
The holiday cottage consists of 2 double pitched forms laid side by side in a z shaped plan. One form contains the public spaces – kitchen, dining, living and the other contains private rooms – two bedrooms and bathrooms. A lower linking area houses the entrance and porch. This design allows view of the sea, from the holiday lodge, to be embraced from every room whilst providing privacy and shelter to the external spaces.
D&G Design Awards 2019 – and the winner is…Shingle Lodge
With Shingle Lodge now well set into the landscape of Knockinaam Lodge and many guests having now stayed and loved the peace and tranquillity of this secluded holiday cottage with stunning sea views, this beautifully designed holiday lodge is now an award winner! John Murray, proud of his creation submitted Shingle Lodge to the D&G Design Awards and recently at the awards ceremony he collected the award for the non-residential design category.
Chuffed to have collected this award, John is also keen to share the recognition with owners, the Ibbotsons and the construction company: “I am delighted to win the award for Shingle Lodge, it is a recognition of vision of the client, David and Sian, the careful work by the design team and the organisational skills of the Contractors, 3b Construction Ltd, who built it.”
Shingle Lodge is the first of a bigger plan to introduce more holiday cottages to the grounds at Knockinaam Lodge, each offering a fully equipped home away from home with all the amenities guests need for a comfortable stay and a stone’s throw from the hotel’s award-winning restaurant and the private beach, looking out to the Irish Sea.
While the additional holiday cottages remain a plan for the future, Shingle Lodge with its two luxurious super king-size or twin rooms both ensuite and wonderful sea views, is a perfect base to explore surrounding Dumfries and Galloway, the Ayrshire coast or even a day trip to Northern Ireland. Come and stay in this award-winning luxury holiday lodge and discover for yourself. Click HERE to book your holiday today.
