Blackhouse Essay
The ‘Blackhouse’ dwelling embodies the architectural response to the prevailing climatic influences of the area. Scotland’s generally cold climate is mitigated by North Atlantic Gulf Stream winds, and therefore characterised by numerous fluctuations during the course of the day. The East coast has a tendency to keep cool and dry, with temperatures seldom dropping below zero, whereas in the West coast, weather is much wetter. The North of Scotland is also characterise by a very low sun-path, with the sun barely setting in summer whilst barely rising in winter.
Insert images of Scotland map, weather, prevailing winds, sun-path diagrams, highlands etc.
Blackhouse constructions were largely influenced by the need to shelter their inhabitants from …show more content…
In the absence of electrical power and technologies, a great importance was given to environmental comfort. The interaction of different materials in different building elements was determined by the physical properties of these particular materials. With reference to the below sketch, one can see how the heavy external walls were constructed in an inner and outer layer of stone blocks; insulated with a core of peat and earth and waterproofed with clay. Turf was also used to absorb any excess retained moisture. The roof was based on a structural frame built using driftwood or whale bone, clad with timber coursing. Over the wood, layers of peat, grass and straw thatch were used for thermal insulation and waterproofing. The roofing materials were secured with a rope netting and weighted downwards using stone anchors.
Insert images wall and roof numbered details
In the absence of electrical power, the builders of the Blackhouse also had to display practices of passive design:
- The fire was built in the centre of the household and never allowed to go out, constantly heating the heavy thermal mass of the earth core walls and ground. The absorbed heat would then be re-radiated at night.
- The peat and clay used in the walls rendered the building less prone to air infiltration – a major cause of thermal losses.
- Chimneys were omitted, allowing the smoke and soot to concentrate within the roofing thickness, adding to its insulating properties, before eventually seeping
Insert images of Scotland map, weather, prevailing winds, sun-path diagrams, highlands etc.
Blackhouse constructions were largely influenced by the need to shelter their inhabitants from …show more content…
In the absence of electrical power and technologies, a great importance was given to environmental comfort. The interaction of different materials in different building elements was determined by the physical properties of these particular materials. With reference to the below sketch, one can see how the heavy external walls were constructed in an inner and outer layer of stone blocks; insulated with a core of peat and earth and waterproofed with clay. Turf was also used to absorb any excess retained moisture. The roof was based on a structural frame built using driftwood or whale bone, clad with timber coursing. Over the wood, layers of peat, grass and straw thatch were used for thermal insulation and waterproofing. The roofing materials were secured with a rope netting and weighted downwards using stone anchors.
Insert images wall and roof numbered details
In the absence of electrical power, the builders of the Blackhouse also had to display practices of passive design:
- The fire was built in the centre of the household and never allowed to go out, constantly heating the heavy thermal mass of the earth core walls and ground. The absorbed heat would then be re-radiated at night.
- The peat and clay used in the walls rendered the building less prone to air infiltration – a major cause of thermal losses.
- Chimneys were omitted, allowing the smoke and soot to concentrate within the roofing thickness, adding to its insulating properties, before eventually seeping