Izat Arundell’s Caochan na Creige Wins the 2025 RIBA House of the Year
Caochan na Creige, crafted by Izat Arundell, has been announced as the winner of the 2025 RIBA House of the Year. This timber-framed, stone-clad self-build sits on a compact rural plot in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, where harsh weather and a distinctive geological landscape shape every aspect of its design. Built by the architect for the owners, the house was chosen for its clear response to site constraints, its material strategy, and the alignment between design intent and actual construction.
Rising from a Gaelic name meaning “little quiet one by the rock,” the project centers on an existing rock formation that provides shelter from prevailing winds. Locally sourced Lewisian gneiss covers the exterior, echoing the surrounding landscape and forging a direct link between the building and its site. A cedar-clad porch welcomes visitors and mediates between the openness outside and the enclosure inside. Inside, Scottish cedar is prominently featured on walls and finishes. The floor plan blends open living zones with more intimate, enclosed spaces, while full-height glazing invites daylight and expansive views.
The jury praised the project for addressing environmental, spatial, and economic constraints within a compact footprint. David Kohn, chair of the 2025 RIBA House of the Year jury, noted that the decision was unanimous, highlighting the home’s adaptation to challenging climate, its engagement with local building traditions, and its ability to deliver within a modest budget. The jury also commented on the building’s formal clarity, observing that while it nods to larger, defensive architectural forms, it retains a domestic scale suitable for its use and setting.
Caochan na Creige demonstrates a durable, site-responsive approach to modern rural housing, prioritizing performance and longevity. Rather than leaning on stylistic references, the design is shaped by material availability, climate considerations, and construction logic. Its restrained architectural language allows the house to blend with its surroundings while meeting contemporary living needs, contributing to broader conversations about domestic architecture in remote contexts and the important role of self-built projects.
The RIBA House of the Year award, established in 2013, recognizes architectural quality in new-build homes and extensions across the UK. Previous winners include Six Columns by 31/44 Architects (2024), Green House by Hayhurst & Co (2023), and The Red House by David Kohn Architects (2022). The 2025 shortlist also featured Housestead by Sanei Hopkins Architects, London Brut by Pricegore Architects, Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects, Triangle House by Artefact, Amento by James Gorst Architects, and Jankes Barn by Lynch Architects.
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Author: Reyyan Dogan
Source: ArchDaily, 12 Dec 2025
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