Date: 20 June 08
Author: Caroline Ednie, Web Editor
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The Shed’s raison d’être is the marrying of the humble agricultural sheds of rural Scotland with modern technology.
The house has been constructed via a steel frame that allows the creation of a layered effect to the walls. The whole depth of the wall is around two feet, much like a traditional stone building, and this allows various elements, such as the cantilevered gable window, to be contained within the depth of the wall.
Various fixed and sliding glazed elements take full advantage of the spectacular views. Rooting the building firmly in the agricultural shed tradition is the use of corrugated steel sheeting on the roof and cladding. A rainscreen and external storm shutters of locally sourced Scottish larch effectively enclose and protect the house against the elements.
The simple rustic aesthetic of the exterior is also reflected in the interiors – both in terms of space and materials. The Shed is arranged over two main levels with an open plan kitchen / dining and living area at the heart of the ground floor with a bathroom and bedroom to the east and two further bedrooms to the west. Due to the spatial possibilities allowed by the steel portal frame (which dispenses with the need for any ceiling straps or ties) the first floor extends into the roof space and features a living area in the west gable which in turn leads up three steps to a small landing office space and finally the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. There are no halls or corridors or indeed any wasted space at all in the house.
The Shed’s energy efficient credentials are assured via solar panels, over-insulation and the first grant-aided exhaust-air heat pump in Scotland to power the under-floor heating and hot water system.
Project: The Shed
Architect: Dualchas Building Design
Client: Mary Arnold Forster
Location: Skye
Cost: £250,000
Links: http://www.dualchas.com
http://www.skyeshed.com/
Images: Andrew Lee
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