Scotland Island House

Stepped forms and charred timber cladding soften visual impact.

Scotland Island is located at the southern end of the Pittwater estuary, about an hour north of Sydney. Accessed only by boat, and without sealed roads, the island is now a renowned hub for Sydney artists and musicians. It lies within the lands of the Guringai people, the original inhabitants of the area.

 

 

Once part of a large estate on the island, the site has never before been built upon.

Aside from numerous endemic plants, the land carried eighteen protected spotted gum trees. With careful planning, we managed to retain sixteen of these important trees.

A series of stepping volumes informed by the steep topography, and the need to stay within mandated height-lines, gives each room a particular view, and minimises impact on trees and neighbouring view lines. Together with the stepped form, charred timber cladding softens the visual impact of the building when seen from the water and surrounding properties.

Scotland Island House Gallery

Project info	Details
Team	Sam Crawford, Benjamin Chan, Ken Warr
Builder	RW Stidwill Constructions
Consultants	Arborist – Birds Tree Consultancy Bushfire – Sydney Bushfire Consultants Civil, Geotech, Hydraulic Engineer – Martens & Associates Ecologist – GIS Environmental Consultants Landscape Architect – Spirit Level Designs Structural engineer – Cantilever Consultant Engineers
Council	Northern Beaches Council
Photographer	Simon Whitbread Brett Boardman
Awards	2019 Smeg Tour 2020 competition – Shortlist
Completion	2019

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