![Borreraig House / Dualchas Architects - Image 1 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0db8/e8e4/4e41/7a00/009b/large_jpg/Portada.jpg?1384648114)
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Architects: Dualchas Architects
- Year: 2011
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Photographs:James Benedict Brown, Dualchas Architects
![Borreraig House / Dualchas Architects - Windows, Facade, Concrete](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0dea/e8e4/4ea3/db00/0082/large_jpg/Dualchas_Boreraig_(c)Dualchas_Architects_01.jpg?1384648165)
Text description provided by the architects. 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 / Dualchas Architects - Windows, Bedroom](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0d53/e8e4/4e60/3300/0080/large_jpg/Dualchas_Boreraig_(c)Andrew_Lee_002.jpg?1384648013)
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 / Dualchas Architects - Table, Windows, Beam](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0d6e/e8e4/4e60/3300/0081/large_jpg/Dualchas_Boreraig_(c)Andrew_Lee_003.jpg?1384648040)
The first decision was to keep the building low to the skyline. This was done by breaking it up in to 3 separate elements: the living accommodation, the bedrooms wing, and a studio space.
![Borreraig House / Dualchas Architects - Image 4 of 16](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0e91/e8e4/4ea3/db00/0084/medium_jpg/Dualchas_Boreraig_(c)James_Benedict_Brown_004.jpg?1384648330)
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. 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 / Dualchas Architects - Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0e73/e8e4/4e41/7a00/009c/large_jpg/Dualchas_Boreraig_(c)James_Benedict_Brown_002.jpg?1384648296)
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.
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5288/0e77/e8e4/4e60/3300/0086/large_jpg/Boreraig_Plan.jpg?1384648298)