The Highland Tower
Set across three floors, the Highland Tower is a unique rental in the historic town of Crieff. It features exposed stone walls, high-quality details and stunning views across the Scottish Highlands.
How would you describe Secular Retreat in a nutshell?
Set amidst the rolling hills, patchwork fields and centuries-old stone villages of South Devon, Secular Retreat is a hilltop “villa” for small-group stays. It offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the architectural philosophy of Peter Zumthor — one of the world’s greatest living architects.
What is the story behind Secular Retreat, what was the architect’s inspiration to create it?
While Secular Retreat was one of the first Living Architecture projects conceived, it was one of the last to be completed, taking over a decade from start to finish. But most will agree that it was worth the wait! It is located on a site once known as Middledown, which had a 1940s residence on it when we purchased it in 2008. There are photos of the original home in Secular Retreat.
Peter Zumthor first visited the site in the spring of that year and came up with a concept of a house that could accommodate up to 10 people for workshops and other activities. Renowned for the baths at Vals in Switzerland, Zumthor designs buildings that have an eternal quality and is an expert when it comes to materials.
For this project, he produced a 21st-century “villa” inspired by the rocky outcrops of the Devon Moors and the vertical nature of the Monterey pines that existed on the site. From the communal living space, with its hand-rammed concrete columns and cantilevered roof, he added two bedroom wings with sweeping views across the surrounding landscape.
Construction took place over five years on what is a challenging and exposed site. The house was finished in 2019, complete with furnishings and lighting custom-designed by Peter Zumthor for the house.
What was the architect’s philosophy when designing the house?
While Peter Zumthor prioritises the design of “socially relevant” buildings over private residences, he saw the possibility of Secular Retreat being “more than just a vacation home”. His work is strongly informed by ecclesiastical traditions, so the philosophy was centred around designing a secular retreat “evocative of the monasteries of the past” and a place where people could gather to do things together.
