Roof as Landscape: Topography and Typologies of the Calanais Visitor Centre Extension
Paul Smith, Elena Mileva, Ian Alexander, Kate Allan, Nick Dalgety
This project explores a vernacular approach to roof typologies through the proposed extension of the Calanais Visitor Centre on the Isle of Lewis. The aim is to enhance the centre’s role as a key heritage destination while creating architecture that feels deeply rooted in its ritual landscape. The proposal integrates new structures with the existing buildings to form a cohesive architectural ensemble. Drawing on local traditions, it fosters a stronger connection between the built environment and the surrounding setting. A circular boundary wall defines the site, grounding the architecture within the landscape and recalling ancient enclosures.
Carefully positioned, the extension acknowledges the cultural significance of the standing stones by blending into the terrain rather than dominating it. The architecture is designed to complement existing typologies and preserve the site’s visual and historical integrity.
Central to the proposal is a diverse roofscape inspired by the forms of traditional Hebridean farmsteads. This variation in roof forms honours the region’s vernacular architecture while offering a contemporary reinterpretation. The result is a roofscape that becomes a topographical feature in itself—an inhabited landscape that echoes the land’s rhythms and textures.
This study presents an abstracted model of the roofscape alongside hand sketches and professional visuals. These materials collectively explore the concept of “roof as landscape,” reimagining the roof not just as shelter but as a sculptural, unifying element—one that resonates with both the heritage and topography of the Outer Hebrides.