A Respectful Collaboration with Context – Scotland Island House I by Sam Crawford Architects

Stepping around the delicate sensitivities of the ecology it sits amongst, Scotland Island House I is a study of respectful collaboration with context. Sam Crawford Architects combines a light-footed approach in developing a vernacular that navigates its steeply sloping site with ease, while creating a refinely detailed shelter amongst the trees.

Uniquely perched off the side of a steeply sloping site on the remote and naturally abundant Scotland Island, the home is accessible only by boat. Its location situates it within an hour north of Sydney, at the southern end of the Pittwater inlet. The island is dotted with endemic flora species and traces of the original inhabitants of the area, the Guringai people. Interweaving itself around the delicate and important ecology it sits amongst, the resulting home was conceived in respectful response to its surrounding context and from a will to live amongst it with minimal impact. Sam Crawford Architects brings a sensitivity to the site and proposes a shelter of purpose and refinement, sitting high amongst the trees.

Sam Crawford Architects has opened a dialogue with the site and listened intently to create such a sensitive response.

Light-footed, the approach sees a plan and formal arrangement evolve in conversation with the significant native elements on site, with the intent to have as minimal effect on the challenging terrain of the site as possible. Built by RW Stidwell Constructions, together with engineering by Cantilever, Scotland Island House I gently engages with its sloping site as its transcends down its edge. Previously part of a larger estate on the island, the site had never been built on prior and maintaining the dense and natural vegetation on site was imperative. The land contained eighteen protected spotted gum trees, and through close collaboration with Spirit Level Designs the project team was able to retain sixteen.

Optimising the positioning of the home as it overlooks both water and bushland views (of Pittwater and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park), the home is comprised of a series of platforms, creating opportunities for each space within the whole to engage with the unique surroundings. The stepped volumes across the challenging topography open up with upper level windows to engage with overhead canopies and give the appearance of a floating ceiling above the main form. Encased in charred timber, the home sits sedately and unobtrusively amongst the landscape. Internally, warmth is added through curated timber elements and a monochromatic palette creates a calming milieu.

The many different levels facilitate passive cooling with cross-ventilation pulling cool air through the levels. With no mains water on the island, house needed to be self-sustainable. The only section of the house that touches the ground is the timber clad section under the house that covers the 50,000-litre water tank system and sewage treatment tanks. This water recycling system means even black water, once treated, can be used on the upper portion of the land to give nutrients to the purposely receptive plants.

Stepping around the delicate sensitivities of the ecology it sits amongst, Scotland Island House I is a study of respectful collaboration with context.

Scotland Island Home I immerses itself in its dense and individual bushland setting, respectfully disguising itself with the use of natural elements and a stepped approach. Sam Crawford Architects has opened a dialogue with the site and listened intently to create such a sensitive response.

Previously part of a larger estate on the island, the site had never been built on prior and maintaining the dense and natural vegetation on site was imperative.