Rural Design | IAA Awards 2020

We are delighted that our own studio, Mill Studio, was awarded 'Best New Building' at the IAA Highlands and Islands Architectural Awards held online last night.

As architects, there is a great sense of satisfaction in building your own space. When our practice out-grew our previous studio, our vision was for a large open plan studio - but that space simply didn't exist in Portree. We found an unpromising sliver of land that had remained undeveloped in the village and created a simple studio-shed within the constraints of the site, taking advantage of the beautiful views of mature trees and the mill pond to the rear. Using a simple pallet of industrial materials the building is semi-industrial in appearance on arrival. Entering the front door, the fully glazed rear elevation offers views over the burn and deep into the woodland behind the studio creating a peaceful and creative space to work. Described by the judges as "effortlessly delightful" we are thrilled with our new studio.

The whole of the Rural Design team were involved in the design and delivery of the project which has given us a flexible, open-plan and inspirational working environment.