Drymen Road, Bearsden

Drymen Rd, Bearsden

Transforming a Tired Property into a Contemporary Family Home with Exceptional Outdoor Living

When Craig and his wife returned to the UK after several years living in the United States, they chose a flat in a prime location with excellent access to transport links, shops, and local amenities. Although the property suited their lifestyle in many respects, the shared communal garden soon became a limitation—especially during the COVID 19 pandemic, when the importance of dedicated private outdoor space became increasingly clear for their family.

Exploring the Market and Refining the Vision

With outdoor space now a priority, they began searching for properties both within the local area and across the surrounding countryside. Early on, it became apparent that relocating rurally—while offering more space—would create impractical travel requirements for work, school, and daily commitments. Refocusing the search locally, the couple viewed a modern property that they loved for its contemporary style, though the garden fell short of the generous outdoor area they envisioned. As outdoor space was the driving force behind the move, the property was ultimately not suitable.

A Hidden Opportunity

Shortly afterwards, Craig came across a property with exactly the type of expansive garden they had been hoping for. The house, however, was tired, poorly laid out, and required substantial renovation. Instead of being deterred, Craig and his wife recognised the opportunity to transform the property entirely and bring it up to the modern standard they admired. Researching the design of the earlier modern home they had viewed led Craig to discover it was created by Mark Bell of McGinley Bell who coincidentally was a former colleague from his architectural career. This connection enabled them to explore a bespoke architectural solution perfectly aligned to their needs.

A Bold Architectural Transformation

Mark developed a contemporary three storey home that remained fully within the existing footprint of the original property. Through a complete reimagining of the internal layout and vertical expansion, the redesigned scheme introduced over 100m² of additional living space. This transformation significantly improved day to day functionality while also delivering a substantial uplift in the long term value and usability of the home.

Designing With Light, Views, and Lifestyle in Mind

Glazing became one of the project’s most significant—and most impactful—investments. The original home featured small, isolated windows that failed to take advantage of the property’s beautiful natural surroundings. Because the views were central to the home’s appeal, high quality glazing was essential. The new design incorporates a striking wall of glass at the entrance, creating an immediate visual connection to the outdoors and filling the interior with natural light. Although this represented a substantial portion of the budget, it is integral to the home’s character, enhancing both aesthetics and everyday comfort.

Why Choose VELFAC?

Throughout the process, choosing the right glazing partner remained a key priority. As Craig explains:

“Mark recommended VELFAC for their consistent and elegant profile—whether fixed, opening, or used as patio doors. That uniformity was something we really appreciated”

To make an informed decision, the couple visited the VELFAC showroom twice.

“Seeing the products in person made a huge difference. We could assess the quality and feel how each element operated. Our first visit confirmed VELFAC was the right choice; the second allowed us to refine details like colours, ironmongery, and specifications.”

Their confidence grew further:

“VELFAC products were clearly superior. They stood out against every other brand we had viewed.”

Working with ADW

The experience of working with ADW was equally positive:

As with many construction projects, unforeseen delays arise on site, making it impossible to accept the glazing delivery on the originally planned date. This presented a significant challenge, as arranging alternative storage would have resulted in considerable stress and additional cost.

Craig reflects:

“ADW were amazing. We faced delays on site and couldn’t take delivery as originally planned. To store the items ourselves would have caused a great deal of stress and unnecessary expense. ADW worked with us to arrange a later, more suitable delivery date. Their flexibility was genuinely appreciated and helped ease the burden during a stressful phase of the build.”

This responsiveness ensured the project continued without further disruption.

The Result

The completed home has exceeded expectations. The contemporary design, complemented by expansive glazing, has transformed the property into a modern, light‑filled space that fully embraces its stunning natural surroundings.

As Craig shares:

“The house looks fantastic—we’re absolutely thrilled with the outcome. This project was always about maximising the views, and the design, together with the glazing, captures the site beautifully.”

The glazing not only enhances the visual experience but performs exceptionally well in challenging weather conditions:

“The windows are performing brilliantly. It’s very cold and windy where we live, but the products keep us cosy and warm throughout the year. We love them. The result is a home that delivers beauty, comfort, and practicality—perfectly tailored to our family’s lifestyle for years to come”.”