11.08.2026
2 minute read
We're delighted to share that our River Tay Boathouse project has been featured by DETAIL, one of the world's leading architectural publications. The feature showcases the remarkable riverside restoration designed by architects Barboza Blanco and highlights the innovative structural timber frame crafted, manufactured and installed by Carpenter Oak. Read the DETAIL feature here.
For architects, designers and construction professionals, DETAIL is regarded as one of the most respected sources of architectural inspiration and technical knowledge. Published in Germany with an international readership, the magazine is renowned for celebrating outstanding architecture, innovative construction techniques and exemplary detailing. Being selected for publication is a significant endorsement of both the design quality and craftsmanship behind a project, placing it alongside some of the world's most inspiring contemporary buildings.
Located on the banks of Scotland's River Tay, the project transformed the roofless stone shell of a historic boathouse into an extraordinary retreat that celebrates timber, craftsmanship and place. Designed by Barboza Blanco, the building's defining feature is its sculptural tree-like structural timber frame, created using locally sourced Scottish Douglas fir and larch harvested from the woodland immediately behind the site. Carpenter Oak worked closely with the architects to bring this complex vision to life through traditional timber framing techniques combined with precise digital design and fabrication.
The project demonstrates what can be achieved when architecture, engineering and traditional carpentry work together. Every aspect of the structure reflects a commitment to sustainability, from the careful selection of locally grown timber to the use of traditional mortice and tenon joinery that allows the frame itself to become the defining architectural feature of the building. The result is a structural timber frame that not only supports the building but shapes the way it is experienced.
International recognition from DETAIL follows another successful year for the project, which received widespread industry acclaim after winning Private Housing Project of the Year at the 2025 Structural Timber Awards. Together, these accolades recognise the outstanding collaboration between Barboza Blanco, Carpenter Oak, engineer Bernabeu Ingenieros and the wider project team in delivering a building that pushes the possibilities of structural timber design while remaining deeply rooted in its landscape and local resources.
We're proud to see the River Tay Boathouse gaining recognition on the international stage. Features such as this help showcase not only the possibilities of structural timber construction and traditional green oak craftsmanship, but also the value of thoughtful collaboration in creating buildings that are both technically ambitious and environmentally responsible.
If you'd like to learn more about the River Tay Boathouse, explore the project in full on our website and discover how Carpenter Oak works with architects, engineers and clients to create award-winning structural timber buildings.
Image credit: L - Rohan Strathie, R - Eoghan Smith
Image credit: L - Rohan Strathie, R - Eoghan Smith
