Rock Cove, a house suspended between sky and sea, showcases Kebony wood on the Scottish coast

Situated on a steep strip of land formerly occupied by the Ministry of Defence, Rock Cove is a continuation of a previous collaboration between the client and the architects for the neighbouring house, Cape Cove.

The challenge was considerable: to design a single-story house, accessible and bathed in light, while respecting strict topographical and regulatory constraints.

For Stuart Cameron: “The land is narrow, wedged between the road and the sea, and only a portion was buildable. The authorities approved the project on the condition that it remain within this defined area, bordering the protected natural area. This guided the entire design of Rock Cove.”

The result is a linear silhouette, with half of the structure rising above the rocks, suspended in the air by two steel struts. The other, more intimate half is anchored to the ground and houses the house's four bedrooms.

Kebony: a wood cut for the extreme

Faced with such an exposed environment, the choice of materials proved crucial. The exterior cladding is Kebony Clear. Kebony Character covers the undersides, ensuring aesthetic and technical continuity. Developed in Norway, Kebony Dually modifiedTM technology is a patented, environmentally friendly process. It modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by heating the wood with a bio-sourced liquid. By polymerizing the wood's cell wall, the softwoods permanently adopt the attributes of tropical hardwoods, while having a minimized impact on the environment.

“This wood is particularly suited to coastal environments. It resists weathering well and develops a natural silver patina that blends perfectly with the landscape,” explains the design team.

Countersunk stainless steel fasteners enhance the durability of the entire structure. Complementing this, local stone cladding (basalt and raw quartz) visually anchors the house in its surroundings.

A warm house, buffeted by the winds

Inside, the atmosphere is warm and refined. The sapele living room ceiling evokes marine woodwork, while the oak and porcelain stoneware floors combine strength and comfort. Thanks to a high-performance envelope—triple glazing, reinforced insulation, and a heat pump—Rock Cove ensures remarkable energy efficiency without resorting to complex systems.

“Rock Cove is a marine house. It has to withstand the wind, the salt, the tides. It has to hold up, no matter the conditions,” explains the owner.

Winner of the Gold Award at the Scottish Design Awards 2025, the Supreme Award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects 2024, and a finalist in the RIAS/RIBA Awards 2025, Rock Cove powerfully illustrates the ability of Kebony wood to meet the challenges of contemporary architecture in extreme environments.