Scotland on Sunday

After A hard day at the office, Kevin Cooper knows the perfect place to unwind. It is not the snug at his local pub. He does not work off his tension at his gym. Instead he jumps in the car and drives to his family home in West Kilbride, Ayrshire. "One of my favourite things is coming up the stairs with the sun streaming in the windows. I just think 'this is lovely'." His contentment is understandable. Not only is the house an exciting and contemporary new-build with wonderful views over to Arran, but Kevin and his wife, Catherine, both architects, designed it themselves.