Black Shed, Skinidin House : Architecture Information

Date: 2009 Architect: rural design Location: Black Shed, 2 Skinidin, Isle of Skye, Western Isles The Black Shed is predicated on a desire to characterise development in the North West Coast of Scotland as more than white cottages, and indeed turn attention to the history of agricultural buildings, that are as valuable a precedent as the picture postcard image. This small (70m2) house has been designed as a prototype for the development of affordable houses for development in the Isle of Skye and beyond. The black shed draws deliberately on the agricultural shed as a prototypical form, the deep plan and low pitched roof encloses a simple volume enclosed by rough spruce boards inside and out. Large sliding shutters enclose a lobby, and this gradually opens out with the seasons. Simple openings frame the moorland landscape, and a "cut- out" in the plan creates an entrance space and allows the living space to connect to the 270 degree view. The agricultural metaphor is carried through in the choice of materials, fibre cement sinusoidal sheeting sits on the roof, and the primary structure comprises simple bolted flitch beams. A concrete floor flows through all spaces, material junctions are characteristically direct and trims, skirtings and cover plates are avoided. The butt joint is celebrated! The most indulgent material is hidden, and the sheeps wool insulation creates a warmth and a further connection to the landscape beyond. Black Shed Skinidin images + information from Rural Design 230409