Skye Retreat
A contemporary home on the Isle of Skye where expansive oak glazing dissolves the boundary between architecture and landscape.
The Brief
Designed by Dualchas Architects, Skye Retreat was conceived as a highly contemporary home that would immerse its occupants in the surrounding landscape. Large glazed elevations were central to the design, creating uninterrupted views while bringing daylight deep into the interior. The architects sought a glazing solution that could deliver exceptional thermal performance, accommodate substantial glass sizes, and integrate seamlessly with the extensive oak-lined interiors.
The Challenge
The project relied on two vast glazed façades incorporating fixed glazing, sliding doors, opening windows and integrated balustrades. Despite the complexity of these assemblies, the architectural ambition was for the glazing to appear almost frameless from both inside and out. Located on the remote Isle of Skye, the system also needed to withstand demanding environmental conditions while maintaining the precision and performance expected of a high-end contemporary home.
The Outcome
Ecovia supplied bespoke Vantage Modern oak glazing throughout the project, combining large-format fixed and opening elements within a highly refined architectural language. Externally, the frames are largely concealed, allowing the glazing to read as expansive walls of glass. Internally, the warmth of the oak frames complements the extensive timber panelling, creating a cohesive and richly detailed interior environment.
The project demonstrates the flexibility of the Vantage Modern system, enabling complex glazing configurations, substantial spans and exceptional thermal performance without compromising the architectural vision. The result is a striking contemporary home where craftsmanship, performance and landscape come together seamlessly.
