Lochaber House

Along the shore of ‘Camas an t-Salainn’ - the bay of salt, sits three carefully composed timber and zinc volumes within a linear arrangement of existing cottages. The new-build, modest construction was carefully designed in line with contextual, weather and performance demands.

The house is comprised of two interconnecting volumes, one with the main living, dining and kitchen area looking out to sea, and the second two storey one containing three bedrooms with bathrooms, a small study and utility.

The main living space features a Douglas Fir structural frame by Carpenter Oak, constructed using traditional pegged connections with no structural steel. This lends the space a tactile, acoustically intimate quality, and the structural bays naturally split what is a generous space into discrete zones for living, dining and a beautiful bespoke kitchen by Alastair Letch Woodwork.  A cabin set back from the track completes the site accommodation and with its own bathroom facility can be used by guests.

The house features a breathable wood fibre insulated timber frame over-clad with standing seam zinc in the upper sections and horizontal shiplap Siberian Larch cladding along the lower section. Glazed areas are carefully orientated to maximise solar gain as well as view. House and cabin are heated sustainably by an air source heat pump, with a breathable wood fibre insulation construction to conserve heat and maintain internal air quality for users.