Dezeen Magazine

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

Scottish firm Dualchas Architects used Scottish stone and larch to build this single-storey house on the Isle of Skye (+ slideshow).

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

Named Borreraig House, the part-time residence was designed by Dualchas Architects for a Buddhist, who inherited a plot of land on the largest of Scotland's Inner Hebrides islands.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

"The intention was to create a calm, contemplative space for our client to escape the city and spend time with his friends," said architect Neil Stephen.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

The house is divided into three rectilinear blocks, each with a simple gabled roof. Exterior walls are clad with horizontally arranged larch panels, which sit flush against the edges of the corrugated metal roofs.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

"Materials were chosen which were found in the surrounding landscape - metal from the galvanised gates, larch from the fence posts and stone from walls and fanks," said the architect.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

The first block contains a continuous living space that can be subdivided into a study, kitchen, dining room and lounge, while an adjoining second block accommodates a pair of bedrooms and a utility room.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

A smaller third building sits off to one corner, creating a studio for quiet work and study.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

Oak-faced plywood lines walls and ceilings throughout the house, and Scottish stone was used for the floors.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

Photography is by Andrew Lee.

Read on for more details from Dualchas Architects:


Borreraig House, Glendale, Isle of Skye

This multi-award winning house has been inspired by the vernacular Scottish blackhouse, but abstracted in to modern architecture. The client inherited the croft from his mother, and he wanted to build a home that connected with the landscape and the local heritage.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

It is a house built for a Buddhist in a deeply Presbyterian part of Skye. The religions share a sense of dignity, quiet and respect. The intention was to create a calm, contemplative space for our client to escape the city and spend time with his friends.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

The first decision was to keep the building low to the skyline. This was done by breaking it up in to three separate elements: the living accommodation, the bedrooms wing, and a studio space.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

A natural bowl in the landscape was turned in to a lochan by damming the out-flowing burns - this became the focal point of the views and was intended to increase the sense of tranquillity. Materials were chosen which were found in the surrounding landscape - metal from the galvanised gates, larch from the fence posts and stone from walls and fanks.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

Internally the building has a simple palette of Caithness stone and oak. We took these materials and forms and refined and abstracted them. The larch is used as a rainscreen to give a crisp finish, the Caithness stone has been honed to a smooth surface, the oak panels set out on a 600 grid and the stone walls have been detailed to help create enclosure.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects

The building is heavily insulated with external shutters as a barrier to the worst of the gales, and an air source heat pump to heat the water. The result is a building which not only uses sustainable technology, it sits low and easily in its landscape, inspired by the local materials and culture.

Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects
Floor plan - click for larger image
Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects
Cross section - click for larger image
Borreraig House on a Scottish island by Dualchas Architects
Long section - click for larger image