A timber-framed, stone clad, self-build home in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, has been named House of the Year 2025 by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Caochan na Creige – meaning “little quiet one by the rock” – was designed by architects Izat Arundell and has been praised for its sensitivity to place and exceptional craftsmanship.
The announcement was made during the final episode of Channel 4’s four-part Grand Designs House of the Year series.
Clad in Lewisian Gneiss, the very material that shapes the island’s dramatic landscape, the house appears to grow out of its rugged surroundings. The design shows remarkable resilience and restraint, balancing the demands of an unforgiving climate with a deep respect for the surrounding environment.
Built on a small and challenging plot, the home wraps around a vast rock that provides natural shelter. A generous porch, clad in Scottish cedar, offers the first glimpse of retreat, serving as a welcoming threshold to those who enter.
Inside, the Scottish cedar extends across the interior walls, creating a cocooning warmth in striking contrast to the wild surroundings. Expansive open-plan living areas flow seamlessly into quieter ancillary spaces, while generous floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides frame shifting sunlight and rural views.
Through clever sequencing, the architects have created a layered spatial experience where spectacular viewpoints are gradually revealed as the house unfolds.
Built by and for its architect owners, Caochan na Creige stands as a unique example of how contemporary design can honour tradition and local context. Constructed from hardy, local materials, the home is engineered to withstand the unpredictable Hebredian climate while offering a model for environmentally grounded rural architecture.
Chair of the 2025 RIBA House of the Year Award 2025 Jury, David Kohn, said: “The choice of the winner, Caochan na Creige, was unanimous. It addressed every issue – challenging climatic conditions, the relationship to vernacular architecture and a tight budget – with a rare mixture of sensitivity and boldness.
Modest in size, but luxurious in its connection to the surroundings landscape, it is self-built from hyper-local stone in a way that is suited to its material qualities. Its enigmatic form, recalling large castles and defensive structures, belies its intimate scale.
All these things make it an exemplarily home which will have much to contribute to future debates around domestic architecture in rural contexts."
The sixth and seventh homes on the 2025 shortlist were also announced in the final episode of Grand Designs House of the Year: Housestead, designed by Sanei Hopkins Architects, and London Brut, designed by Pricegore Architects.
The full shortlist for the RIBA House of the Year 2025 is;
- Caochan na Creige by Izat Arundell
- Hastings House by Hugh Strange Architects
- Triangle House by Artefact
- Amento by James Gorst Architects
- Jankes Barn by Lynch Architects
- Housestead by Sanei Hopkins Architects
- London Brut by Pricegore Architects
The jury for the House of the Year 2025 was: Jury Chair: David Kohn, Founding Director, David Kohn Architects. Gill Lambert, Director, AOC. Amalia Skoufoglou, Founding Director, O’Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects. Livia Wang, Creative Director, Van Gogh House London
