River Tay Boathouse
A complex frame for a boathouse on the shoreline of a river, using Douglas fir and larch sourced from the bordering forest
About
Scotland
2024
- Architect
Barboza Blanco
- Engineer
Bernabeu Ingenieros
- Material
Local Scottish green Douglas fir and larch
- Constraints
Building a complex timber structure within the walls of an old masonry boathouse on the shoreline of a tidal river
The Boathouse is a showcase of sustainable construction at a time when the industry is pushing for more environmentally responsible ways of building. By combining local trades, knowledge and resources, the project highlights innovation across those three areas.
The geography of the site presented a challenge – a river level that rises seasonally – and a solution – a dense forest of larch and fir trees, about to undergo thinning, a forestry practice of tree cutting to allow others to grow more, generating a surplus of wood. Twenty trees were carefully selected, chosen for their strength and suitability. To protect the woodland, Belgian draft horses were used for timber extraction instead of heavy vehicles, and a temporary sawmill was set up close to the build.
Architects Barboza Blanco designed the interior around the timber frame itself. The complex and sculptural structure isn’t just supporting the building – it defines how the space is lived in. Levels created by the frame form natural places for sitting, eating and sleeping, while the openness of the design encourages a conscious relationship with the surrounding environment.
Images
Boathouse, Highland Estate
A challenging project to build an exceptional boathouse on the shores of Loch Ness
Taigh Na Coille - House of the Woods
A beautiful house on the shores of a loch, built to minimise impact on its environment.
