The Orchard
Client
ELK Developments
Location
Newstead, Scottish Borders
Sector
Living
The Challenge
The project needed to respect both the village’s conservation status and its sensitive scenic location. The design had to balance tradition and modernity, avoid suburban-style frontages, and respond to the site’s distinctive features — including the historic boundaries and the watercourse — while achieving support of the Planners for a contemporary design of traditional village edge Villa.
Ben Glennon
Associate
Ben Glennon
Associate
Ben plays a key role at Aitken Turnbull as Associate and leader of the Living Team, bringing strong design leadership, project management, and technical expertise throughout every stage of a project. With over 10 years at the practice, he has created award-winning designs that balance innovation, sustainability, and a genuine focus on community needs. Ben’s proactive, collaborative approach helps ensure projects not only meet client goals but also positively impact the places and people they serve. Passionate about community-led initiatives, he works closely with local groups to develop thoughtful, meaningful design solutions that truly make a difference.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
Our Approach
We approached the site with a commitment to blending contemporary design with the village’s historic character. Working with local planners, the design reinterprets traditional proportions and materials to create a distinctive development that enhances the eastern entrance. Massing and scale reflect local forms, with short roof spans, slate pitches, and a restrained vernacular palette. Two-storey buildings are positioned to the rear, with a single-storey unit behind the original orchard wall. Stone boundaries, native hedging, and fruit tree planting reference the site’s history while integrating the scheme into the landscape.
Sustainability is embedded throughout, with highly insulated construction, air source heat pumps, PV panels, and optimised solar gain. Sustainable drainage, waste and recycling facilities, permeable surfaces, and rainwater usage reduce environmental impact. Wildlife-friendly planting supports biodiversity, while the layout is designed to adapt to future climate and ecological needs
The Solution
The result is a development that sits comfortably within its historic and scenic setting while offering modern, individual homes. It strengthens the character of Newstead through sensitive massing and materials, respects the village’s built form, and enhances its setting with a confident but respectful contemporary twist
Ben Glennon
Associate
Ben plays a key role at Aitken Turnbull as Associate and leader of the Living Team, bringing strong design leadership, project management, and technical expertise throughout every stage of a project. With over 10 years at the practice, he has created award-winning designs that balance innovation, sustainability, and a genuine focus on community needs. Ben’s proactive, collaborative approach helps ensure projects not only meet client goals but also positively impact the places and people they serve. Passionate about community-led initiatives, he works closely with local groups to develop thoughtful, meaningful design solutions that truly make a difference.
Ben Glennon
Associate
Ben plays a key role at Aitken Turnbull as Associate and leader of the Living Team, bringing strong design leadership, project management, and technical expertise throughout every stage of a project. With over 10 years at the practice, he has created award-winning designs that balance innovation, sustainability, and a genuine focus on community needs. Ben’s proactive, collaborative approach helps ensure projects not only meet client goals but also positively impact the places and people they serve. Passionate about community-led initiatives, he works closely with local groups to develop thoughtful, meaningful design solutions that truly make a difference.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
Callum Ford
Associate & Technical Lead
As an experienced Architectural Technician, Callum combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach at Aitken Turnbull. Starting as a trainee while studying Architectural Technology at Edinburgh Napier University, he has built up experience across housing, bespoke homes, non-domestic buildings, and fit-out projects. Involved from early design through to completion, Callum specialises in BIM and clear, accurate project delivery. His skills in 3D visualisation also help bring designs to life and support effective communication with clients and teams. Approachable and down-to-earth, he ensures projects run smoothly and efficiently from start to finish.
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