AST* were approached by a landowner to explore new uses for a small farm in Dumfries and Galloway, near Castle Douglas.

The farm is made up of around 80 acres of managed grassland, protected ancient woodland, drumlins + rocky outcrops. Parts are visible from the A75; but it’s discreet with good connectivity + spectacular views south + west. The site falls from a high point towards the south + west.

Growth in luxury lodge accommodation across the UK + post pandemic “staycation boost” means more affluent tourists are coming to Scotland. This destination will grow to become a self-sustaining park of 400+ “zero carbon” timber lodges with on-site facilities for all users. From kayakers + gastronomes + NC500 thrill seekers, this new customer profile is still being defined.

We helped our client develop a vision for a central “pop up” food hall style venue with local partners, acting as culinary champions for great Scottish produce. This will create an “all seasons” offer, trusting in local communities to create sustainable micro businesses.

AST* utilized a “minimal dig” strategy + used existing topography to cascade the lodges among over 1400 new trees; extending the woodland across the site.

The project aim is for a forest, planted in phases around and among the lodges. This new woodland will mature, establishing over the next 10 – 20 years to join the existing mature woodland, creating a well-spaced mixed deciduous and evergreen forest made up of native species.

Our masterplan design is a response to the unique landscape, with three distinct lodge zones, their character being adapted to suit their landscape, the mix and typology of lodges being similar in each with defined landscape buffers using native planting.

For the Central Guest Facility buildings we developed a style of architecture that respond to the industrial aesthetic of modern farming, creating a calm contemporary feeling of luxury. Set apart from the typical “lower value” holiday offer bringing more money into the local economy creating jobs + revenue for local businesses.

We used local materials, tweaked form + function to explore an “agri-tectural” style. The buildings are simple and flexible, utilizing materials such as galvanized metal and bleached larch which echo more utilitarian

We used local materials, tweaked form + function to explore an “agri-tectural” style. The buildings are simple and flexible, utilizing materials such as galvanized metal and bleached larch which echo more utilitarian shed forms found in the local area, blending the development into its context while creating a contemporary new architecture for tourism.

The new layout creates a sunny paved courtyard, a village square. Paved with stone / reconstituted / recycled stone paving. The courtyard will be a busy and well used space for all lodge guests, and will be accessible to the public, providing a food + drink offer with outdoor seating.

The existing buildings are worthy of love. We made sure to keep + renovate them to be as appreciated as they once were. The existing farmhouse will be renovated, and a new build element will be added to form the restaurant bar. This extension will sit facing the main pedestrian approach to the Central Guest Facility and overlook both an informal Beer Garden to the west and an outdoor play area to the south allowing some passive supervision.

An open sided playbarn will be created south of the restaurant, offering 300sqm of covered unheated barn space fitted with internal layout to create climbing walls + play space + soft play. The barn will be attached to a multi-use games area.