Description
Robert Lugar, architect; 1822. Built for John Cunningham of
Lainshaw, Ayr. 2-storey and attic house with principal rooms
in square plan block to E with angle turrets. Much lower
L-shaped service wing to W. The house survives largely intact
the only major external alteration is the removal of S front
porch replaced circa 1960 by granite, timber and glass
conservatory. Porch re-erected to N front to form new main
entrance into old service quarters.
Rock-faced granite with polished inner faces to window
margins, hoodmoulds.
MAIN BLOCK: square plan with 3-storey ogee roofed square
turrets to angles.
S ELEVATION: 3-bay with boldly advanced gabled centre bay.
Modern projecting conservatory; granite base, timber and
glass with slate roof. Above, canted corbelled oriel with
gable over. Conservatory flanked by tripartites at ground,
single light above.
E ELEVATION: 2 asymmetrical gabled bays. That to left shallow
advanced with tripartite to ground, single light above. To
right, 2 single lights to ground, corbelled oriel above
(Lugar's drawing shows ornamental parapet to oriel never
executed).
N ELEVATION: 3-bay with centre bay recessed, outer bays
gabled, that to right with tripartite to ground, otherwise
all single tight windows, those to right 1st with replaced
4-pane glazing.
Angle turrets with lead ogee roofs, slit windows with diamond
pane glazing.
T-plan service wing lower 2-storey with pedimented dormers,
W wing taller and gabled.
To S 5-bay elevation with circa 1919 single-storey extension
to inner 3 bays; bipartites flanking tripartite, deep plain
parapet, flat roof.
Variety of glazing patterns throughout house. Original design
mullioned and transomed with 2, 4 or 6-pane glazing, some
12-pane or 4-pane sash and case. Servants wing with mullioned
and transomed windows with diamond-pane glazing, some with
lower portions of plate glass. Slate roofs, tall individual
granite stacks often in groups of 3 or 4 give distinctive
roofline.
INTERIOR: largely unaltered. Gothic hallway with 4-centre
rib-vaulted ceiling. Doors, shutters, cornices etc mostly
original to Lugar.