a new life for a redundant, rural chapel

This small chapel was extended and altered to create a family holiday home and popular self catering holiday house.

Muckle Roe Chapel - Image
  • TIME SPAN:

    2012 - 2013

  • TYPE:

    Conversion to Family holiday home

  • STATUS:

    Complete

  • CLIENT:

    Mr & Mrs Vang

  • LOCATION:

    Muckle Roe, Shetland

  • SIZE:

    112 m²

  • Contractor:

    Leask & Wood

  • Photographers:

    Richard Gibson Architects, Brian Gray, Keiba Film (filmography), The Shetland Flyer

  • AWARDS:

    2016: Saltire Housing Design Awards - Alterations, Renovation and Extensions - Award
    2016: I.A.A Awards - New Life for Old Buildings - Winner

Muckle Roe Chapel - Image
Muckle Roe Chapel - Image

“In 2012 we embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to renovate a disused chapel near our family into a holiday home. We approached Richard Gibsons Architects, after being impressed by the projects displayed on their website. Nick was excellent, helping us define what we wanted from the property, and developing our ideas, while being willing to challenge our thinking to get the best design possible. It was great to feel involved in the process despite being based on the Scottish mainland, as it was easy to communicate with the practice via telephone and email. We were able to get planning consents without delay or stress due to Nick’s knowledge and experience of local planning requirements. The project is now complete and we are delighted with the result and with our experience of working with Richard Gibson Architects.”

/ Bogi & Senga Vang, Owners


The design approach keeps the external integrity of the existing masonry chapel and adds an extension comprising a double height sitting room and kitchen that makes the most of framing the seaward views.  A platform over the sitting room lowers part of the ceiling providing contrast and a level of intimacy within the larger double height space.

Muckle Roe Chapel - Image
Muckle Roe Chapel - Image

The understated timber clad extension has lightness that contrasts with the existing masonry quoin features of the chapel.  The slate roofs provides a continuity between the two elements of the building, which internally, is Tardis-like having a spacious feel for a relatively compact floor plan.

Muckle Roe Chapel - Image

The Chapel prior to and during conversion works.

Muckle Roe Chapel - Image

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