Located on a wind-swept rocky promontory, Rock Cove stands as a rigorous architectural response to a site that is as challenging as it is exceptional. Designed by the firm Cameron Webster Architects, this house makes use of Kebony wood to withstand the harshness of the Scottish coastal climate.

Formerly occupied by the Ministry of Defence, the site of the Rock Cove project was anything but straightforward! The plot formed a steep ledge on the Rosneath Peninsula in Scotland, on the edge of a protected natural area. It was in this tight and demanding setting, on the western side of the island, that Cameron Webster Architects had to design Rock Cove. This came with an additional constraint: the project had to blend in with the neighbouring house, Cape Cove, the result of a previous collaboration between the client and the architectural practice. “The site is narrow, squeezed between the road and the sea, and only part of it was buildable,” explains architect Stuart Cameron. “The authorities approved the project on the condition that it remain within this defined zone, on the edge of the protected natural area. That guided the entire design of Rock Cove.” The brief called for a single-storey, accessible and light-filled villa. Stuart Cameron therefore conceived a striking design, long and cantilevered. Split into two distinct volumes, the 250 m² house features one section projecting over the rocks, suspended in the air thanks to two steel struts, and another anchored to the ground, housing the four bedrooms.

Resistance

In such an exposed environment (salt, humidity, strong winds, freeze–thaw cycles) and rugged terrain, the choice of materials was a decisive step. Externally, a steel structure ensures the building’s stability while giving it a contemporary appearance. The ground floor, supported by precast concrete elements integrated into the metal framework, anchors the house to the irregular rock face. For the façades, the design team opted for Kebony wood, whose properties meet the requirements of the site. The cladding is made of Kebony Clear, while the soffits are finished in Kebony Character, ensuring both aesthetic and technical continuity across the entire envelope. “This wood, particularly suited to coastal environments, withstands harsh weather conditions well and develops a natural silver patina that blends perfectly with the surrounding landscape,” notes the design team. The gradual and uniform ageing of the cladding into a silvery grey allows the house to visually integrate into the surrounding mineral and maritime landscape. From a technical standpoint, countersunk stainless-steel fixings complete the system, enhancing the durability of the joints. To break up the “all-wood” appearance, a local stone cladding combining basalt and raw quartz was used on part of the building, echoing its geological setting.

Awards

While the exterior of the project is designed to withstand the elements and blend with nature, the interior expresses a more welcoming character, where wood also plays a central role. The living area features a sapelli ceiling reminiscent of maritime woodwork, along with oak and ceramic stone flooring. In terms of energy performance, Rock Cove relies on a high-performance envelope with XXL triple-glazed windows offering breathtaking sea views, enhanced insulation, and a heat pump. Far from complex technical systems, this approach to simplicity reflects the overall philosophy of the project: “Rock Cove is a coastal house,” explains its owner. “It must face wind, salt, tides, and withstand whatever conditions arise…” A successful challenge, resulting in a signature project that balances regulatory constraints, efficiency, and aesthetics, and has won several architectural awards in the UK.

By Adèle Cazier

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