dualchas architects cantilevers morar beach house in the scottish highlands

dualchas architects cantilevers morar beach house in the scottish highlands
photography by andrew lee

cantilevered over an uneven piece of land, glasgow-based firm dualchas architects has developed the ‘beach house’ which can be found gazing over the peaceful white sands of morar, near mallaig in the scottish highlands. the form of the holiday home is characterized by two stacked volumes. the structure of the upper level extends outwards, bringing the inhabitants closer while forming a connection to the distant scenery. strategically, the communal areas are based on the first floor meanwhile, the ground level, comprises of the bedrooms, giving the inhabitants privacy as well as a clear focus on the landscape it sits on.

guttering and pipes are eliminated, thus creating a waterfall effect outside the bedrooms on the lower floor

capturing views of the isles of rum, eigg, muck, the house is no short of natural light. the interiors serve as a black canvas where the skylights and recessed artificial light has been integrated throughout the space giving variations of light levels to each part of the home. all walls, both inside and outside, are white washed and continue past the insulated envelope negating the end of the interior space.

a lacquered concrete floor has been used throughout

the absence of materials provides a blank canvas on the interior, giving dominance to natural light

credit

the lower floor focuses on the dense vegetation outside

kitchen area with skylight

site map

project info:

project name: beach house, morar, scotland
project architect: daniel bär
structural engineer: ipm associates
environmental consultant: an cuilionn consultancy
drainage consultant: jig environment
contractor: robbie gordon / alastair fraser, an fraser joinery
client: confidential
site address: morar, scotland
contract value: confidential
treated floor area: 150 m2
completion date: july 2014