An architectural lake cabin has appeared on the banks of Loch Venachar at Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park. Coorie, a holiday home designed by Glasgow studio Cameron Webster, is a project led by owners Dene and Debbie Happell, who decided to create the perfect nature retreat on their idyllic waterside plot.
The structure, clad in dark timber in a low, gently angular form, blends happily with its forested surrounds, and indeed the word ‘coorie‘ can mean ‘nestle’. At the same time, the strong lines and geometric volumes bring the composition into the 21st century. The house has been arranged in an upside-down way – featuring bedrooms on the ground level and living spaces upstairs, making sure the long, green views are visible from key social parts of the house. An open-plan luxury living, dining and kitchen area with a covered balcony and built-in window seat nook sit at the heart of this space. A warm yet dramatic, dark staircase takes guests down to the bedrooms, setting the mood for a cosier, more private atmosphere.
‘Whether cooried up in the window seat with a good book after an invigorating walk, relaxing on the balcony with a cocktail after a swim, or snuggled up in front of the wood-burning stove watching a movie, the house provides the best refuge to experience the great outdoors,’ say the Happells. ‘You can watch Scotland’s weather whilst being protected from it.’
The interior decor mixes midcentury modern designs and utilitarian touches, such as the industrial lighting, that make for a practical stay. Meanwhile, classic designs include Hans Wegner’s ‘Wishbone’ chairs, an Ercol dining table and Timorous Beasties fabrics.
Careful insulation plans ensured that this lake cabin needs little heating for the biggest part of the year. The home’s timber structure, an air source heat pump, underfloor heating, eco toiletries and wood-fired hot tub (with timber provided by local fallen trees), complete the project's strong eco credentials – which mean that this holiday house is as friendly as can be to its precious natural environment.
INFORMATION
-
Bees can now check in at Kew’s new pollinator hotelAt Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden, artist Kristina Pulejkova unveils four functional sculptures that tell the hidden story of seeds and act as a refuge for bees during the heat of summer
-
Andu Masebo and The Singleton’s bespoke furniture celebrates the beauty in slow craftBritish designer Andu Masebo collaborates with single malt Scotch whisky The Singleton on a multifunctional furniture piece boasting minimal design codes
-
Inside a midcentury modern house so good, its architect didn’t want to mess with it‘I was immediately a little bit frightened, because it was such a great house,’ says architect Casper Mork-Ulnes of Roger Lee-designed gem in Berkeley, California
-
Kengo Kuma’s ‘Paper Clouds’ in London is a ‘poem’ celebrating washi paper in construction‘Paper Clouds’, an installation by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is a poetic design that furthers research into the use of washi paper in construction
-
Foster + Partners to design the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth IIFor the Queen Elizabeth II memorial, Foster + Partners designs proposal includes a new bridge, gates, gardens and figurative sculptures in St James’ Park
-
Wolves Lane Centre brings greenery, growing and grass roots togetherWolves Lane Centre, a new, green community hub in north London by Material Cultures and Studio Gil, brings to the fore natural materials and a spirit of togetherness
-
This ingenious London office expansion was built in an on-site workshopNew Wave London and Thomas-McBrien Architects make a splash with this glulam extension built in the very studio it sought to transform. Here's how they did it
-
Once vacant, London's grand department stores are getting a new lease on lifeThanks to imaginative redevelopment, these historic landmarks are being reborn as residences, offices, gyms and restaurants. Here's what's behind the trend
-
Lego and Serpentine celebrate World Play Day with a new pavilionLego and Serpentine have just unveiled their Play Pavilion; a colourful new structure in Kensington Gardens in London and a gesture that celebrates World Play Day (11 June)
-
Inside Abbey Road's refresh: touring the legendary studio's new interiorAbbey Road gets an interior refresh by Threefold Architects, bringing the legendary London recording studio in tune with the 21st century
-
The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready to visit, ‘an exhibition you can use’The Serpentine Pavilion 2025 is ready for its public opening on 6 June; we toured the structure and spoke to its architect, Marina Tabassum
