Scotasay

Isle of Harris

Scotasay is a tiny island that sits between Scalpay and Harris in east Loch Tarbert, Harris.  

The design developed as a series of pods linked by a top lit corridor.  A large living/dining/study with a kitchen is linked by an open courtyard to a bedroom pod. Service spaces such as bathroom, utility and plant rooms form a spine to the rear.  The house is built on stilts and overhangs a tidal lagoon; it is lined internally in birch faced ply so that when the sun reflects off the water, the house glows.

As it is off-grid  the house is powered by a 5kw turbine connected to an inverter and a bank of batteries.  It has been designed to allow for a log-fired boiler to be added later and a back up gas boiler and generator.  The form of the roof allows for the rainwater to be collected for recycling by means of a series of pumps and tanks.