“Caochan na Creige” by Izat Arundell Wins RIBA House of the Year 2025
Caochan na Creige, designed and self-built by Izat Arundell, has been named the winner of the RIBA House of the Year 2025. Located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, the timber-framed and stone-clad house occupies a compact rural site shaped by harsh weather and unique geological conditions.
The project was selected for its clear response to site constraints, its material strategy, and the strong alignment between design intent and construction.
Design Driven by Place and Materiality
Named after a Gaelic expression meaning “little quiet one by the rock,” the house is organized around an existing rock formation that provides shelter from prevailing winds.
The exterior is clad with locally sourced Lewisian gneiss, reinforcing a direct connection to the surrounding landscape. A cedar-clad entrance porch forms a transition between the exposed outdoors and the sheltered interior, where Scottish cedar is used extensively across walls and finishes.
The plan combines open living areas with more intimate rooms, while full-height glazing frames natural light and long views.
Jury’s Comments and Evaluation
The RIBA jury praised the project for addressing environmental, spatial, and economic constraints within its limited footprint.
David Kohn, Chair of the 2025 jury, said the decision was unanimous, highlighting the home’s response to challenging climatic conditions, its engagement with local building traditions, and its delivery within a restricted budget.
The jury noted the house’s formal clarity, referencing its subtle nods to larger defensive structures while maintaining a domestic scale suitable for its setting.
Contribution to Rural Housing Discourse
Constructed with durable, locally sourced materials, the project embodies an approach to contemporary rural housing that prioritizes site specificity and long-term performance. Rather than following stylistic trends, it is shaped by climate, material availability, and construction logic.
Its restrained architectural language allows it to blend into the landscape while fulfilling modern living needs. The project adds to ongoing discussions about remote domestic architecture, particularly around environmental response, longevity, and self-build models.
About the Award
Established in 2013, the RIBA House of the Year Award honors outstanding new homes across the UK.
Past winners include Six Columns (2024) by 31/44 Architects, Green House (2023) by Hayhurst & Co, and The Red House (2022) by David Kohn Architects.
The 2025 shortlist also featured several notable projects, including Housestead by Sanei Hopkins Architects and London Brut by Pricegore Architects. It further included Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects, along with Triangle House by Artefact. The list was completed by Amento, designed by James Gorst Architects, and Jankes Barn by Lynch Architects.
Project Data
Architect / Design Firm:
- Izat Arundell
- Note: The project was “Self-built” by the designer.
Concise Critical Conclusion
The Caochan na Creige project represents an architectural achievement founded on absolute Contextual Responsiveness. The RIBA jury’s selection of this project reflects a shift toward valuing Self-Built Architecture that successfully negotiates between the Site’s Harshness and Material Sensitivity. The critical challenge here lies in balancing Construction Economy—exemplified by the timber frame and self-building process—with the necessity of achieving high Climatic Performance in an extreme environment like the Outer Hebrides. The project’s success in integrating its timber frame and stone cladding with the existing rock formation makes it a key reference in Place-based Design, affirming that true Sustainability begins with a profound understanding of local constraints.
