Hameart

Designed and delivered by Loader Monteith, the project transforms a once-neglected site into a welcoming and practical family home that prioritises wellbeing and connection. Central to the design is creating an adapted environment for the client’s close relative who lives with Alzheimer’s. Thoughtful details like open shelving, clear sightlines, and intuitive layouts promote memory recall and independence. The dormer tea nook upstairs offers them a quiet retreat, while a kitchen with bespoke, accessible cabinetry and a central island made from a passed-down marble slab adds a personal touch to the home. Originally built in 1789, the cottage suffered from disrepair, water damage, and a typical disjointed layout. The redesign enhances functionality, natural light, and wellbeing by removing partitions, repositioning the staircase, and creating a clear sightline from the front door to the riverside garden. A new two-storey extension accommodates an open-plan living and dining area that opens to the garden through glazed sliding doors. Upstairs, the extension includes a primary bedroom suite with a picture window overlooking the countryside. A perforated aluminium canopy adds shading, privacy, and character, with the names of the client’s grandchildren subtly integrated into the design. Natural materials like oak flooring and energy-efficient upgrades, including triple glazing and enhanced insulation, ensure durability, comfort, and reduced energy use. The front facade retains its original stonework, coexisting gracefully within the conservation area, while the extension opens the home to its scenic surroundings. Hameart combines thoughtful design, heritage preservation, and a profound sensitivity to wellbeing to create a modern, comfortable home suited for multi-generational living.