Rural Design Architecture Loch Tro Chraobhan Project Page

Loch Tro Chraobhan - literally meaning ‘loch through trees’ - was the largest of three separate, undeveloped plots dotted across densely wooded hillside in Glenfinnan by Loch Shiel. The clients approached the practice to develop designs for different dwellings on each site. The houses form a family of buildings with a shared language. One of the clients - a former architecture student at the AA - was an enthusiast of modern architecture and a collaborator in the design process.

The site is classed as ‘Ancient Woodland’ and came with pre-existing constraints that had a strong influence on the positioning of the dwelling. It is bordered by a road to the south and a steep incline to the north. The presence of an abundance of mature trees, a high-level electricity line, flood risk areas, car parking and drainage infrastructure requirements further reduced the area suited to development and broadly prescribed the final house location.

The house design continues the development of the practice’s interests in polygonal forms, recessed sheltered spaces and the use of richly textured, natural materials. The concept began as a simple, timber-clad geometrical form sitting on a stone base, reflecting the surrounding context of trees growing on rock.

The house is planted with its back to the steep hill behind which was judiciously cut back to provide a platform for the house, and form a discrete entrance passage to the rear. Principal living spaces are placed on the upper floor to take advantage of the view and create a sense of sitting at tree canopy level. Principal windows are recessed with side walls that act as considerate ‘horse’s blinkers’ to the neighbouring dwellings and form sheltered outdoor spaces.

Extending the principal, southern facade maximised views across the valley to Loch Shiel through a natural break in the tree line and created a wedge shape plan enabling a wider space to the east for single, open plan living room and kitchen. The roof line and corner of the house were softened, like taking sandpaper to a wooden block, to playfully defer to the topography of the landscape. The height of the building respects the established tree line.

The home is clad in untreated board-on-board Scottish larch cladding that will, in time, fade to a silver grey similar to the bark of the surrounding trees and harmonise with the nuanced tones of the coursed Caithness stone cladding.