Contemporary and Vernacular Architecture in the Western Scottish Isles
1. Introduction
England
Southampton
English Channel
Alderney
Cherbourg
Guernsey Jersey
France
N
Braye bay
Benbecula
Glasgow
Manchester
Alderney
Guernsey Airport
Benbecula Airport
Key
Outer Hebridies
Vernacular architecture Ness
Contemporary architecture Lewis 11 10 Uig Sands
08
09 Breanais
07 Harris 06 04
Tarbert
05
Leverburgh Berneray North Uist 12
Uig
13
01
16
Benbecula Airport
Benbecula
Inverness
Skye 14
02
Lochboisdale
South Uist
15 17
03
18
Inner Hebridies
Armadale
Mallaig
Fort William
Glasgow
Building Visits 01. Benbecula Water Tower, c.1970 02. Our Lady of Sorrows, 1965 03. St Michael’s of the Sea, 1899-1903 04. Gatliff Hostel, c.1800 05. The Girnal 06. Talla na Mara, 2017
08. Uig Sands Restaurant 09. Breanish, Dualchas 10. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village 11. Dun Carloway, c.1st Century AD 12. Herring shed, Rural Design 13. Houses around Colbost
14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
Houses around Carbost Grealin, Rural Design Rural Design Studio Dualchas Studio An Cala, Dualchas Black House, Dualchas
Edinburgh
Berneray
2. Context
Isle of Skye
Isle of Lewis
North Uist
Lewis
Harris
North Uist
Benbecula
Skye
South Uist
Barra Key Granite and related rocks Gabbro and related rocks Metamorphic rocks Igneous sills LewisianPermian gneiss toTriassic sedimentary rocks Area with many granite vein s Sills Metamorphosed gabbro and related rock s Volcanic rocks Metamorphosed sedimentary rock s Sedimentary rocks Banded gneisses Outer Hebrides fault Outer Hebrides Fault Dykes Geological diagram of the Outer Hebrides
0
10
20
30 km
Mountains, North Harris
Geology, South Harris
Callanish standing stones
Lewisian gneiss
Beach, Harris
Mountains separating Harris and Lewis
Sketchbook pages
Peat cutting Comann Eachdraidh Uig Collections
Breanish Village Comann Eachdraidh Uig Collections
Broch, Dun Carloway
Sketch of double skin wall Broch, Dun Carloway
3. Architectural Progression
Architectural progression
Blackhouse
Croft / Department House
Evolving typology
‘Modern’ House
Contemporary Shelter
Architectural progression
Blackhouse
Croft / Department House
Evolving typology
‘Modern’ House
Contemporary Shelter
Gerreran Black House Village
Gatlif Black House, Berneray
Marram grass roof
Walls to shoulder height
Deep reveals
Lewisian Gneiss walls
Measured elevation drawing Gerreran Black House Village
Architectural progression
Blackhouse
Croft / Department House
Evolving typology
‘Modern’ House
Contemporary House
Crofters cottage and barns North Uist
Crofters cottage, derelict and inhabited Berneray
Slate tile roof
Two stories, offering separated living
Masonry construction
Thrown ‘Harling’ Lime render
Measured elevation drawing Isle of Lewis Croft House
Architectural progression
Blackhouse
Croft / Department House
Emerging typology
‘Modern’ House
Contemporary Shelter
Our Lady of Sorrows Church South Uist
Water tower Benbecula
Architectural progression
Blackhouse
Croft / Department House
Evolving typology
‘Modern’ House
Contemporary Shelter
Talla Ma Nara Visitor centre
Corrugated metal, agricultural roofing material
Timber board cladding to resist harsh and wet winters
Over clad timber windows to overcome corrosive maritime climate
Measured elevation drawing Talla Na Mara Visitor Centre
4. Contemporary Response to ‘Shelter’
Rural Design
Skye
Dualchas
Contemporary response to ‘shelter’ in the Western Isles
Appropriate construction techniques
Material sensibility
Considered form and orientation
Contemporary response to ‘shelter’ in the Western Isles
Appropriate construction techniques
Material sensibility
Considered form and orientation
Herring shed, Self build Rural Design
Use of pre-fabricated panel construction Allowing construction in adverse environment
Uig Sands Restaurant under construction Close relationship with contractors Dualchas Architects
Contemporary response to ‘shelter’ in the Western Isles
Appropriate construction techniques
Material sensibility
Considered form and orientation
Timber cladding and deep reveales Breanish Dulchas
Corrugated steel clad barns
Timber cladding with corrugated metal roofing Talla Na Mara Rural Design
Contemporary response to ‘shelter’ in the Western Isles
Appropriate construction techniques
Material sensibility
Considered form and orientation
Refined and weather resistant form Inspired by vernacular Houses near Fiscavaig
Refined and weather resistant form Black house Dualchas
Form influenced by surrounding landscape Hen House Rural Design
5. Thank You
Self Portrait Blackhouse
Mountains on Skye