House of the Year (over 2,500 sq. ft)
Winner : “The Arbor House" by Brown & Brown Architects
The Arbor House is a striking low-energy home situated in a conservation area of Aberdeen. Thoughtfully designed by Brown & Brown, it transforms an open plot into a private, leafy sanctuary, emphasising craftsmanship and design.
This contemporary, cantilevered home spans two floors and features slender Larch batten cladding, interspersed with expansive glazing, allowing ample natural light. Nestled in a gentle dip on the site’s northern corner, The Arbor House harnesses southern sunlight while subtly blending into its surroundings, hidden from the busy road above.
Replacing a dilapidated stone steading in this tree-lined plot, the home honours its heritage by reusing salvaged masonry to create a low, sweeping boundary wall and a modern colonnade, lit by original window openings. These elements provide privacy while maintaining a connection to the surrounding streetscape. The cloistered entry creates a distinct separation between the bustling road and the serene gardens, offering a peaceful retreat.
The Arbor House is also designed with sustainability in mind, using natural materials and systems to minimise energy consumption. The heavily insulated structure has an excellent level of airtightness. Large windows capture sunlight to heat the home, while a ground source heat pump and MVHR system ensure year-round comfort. The house provides a beautiful blend of privacy and accessibility.
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:
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The building looks effortless for all the, undoubtedly, hard work that has been put into achieving a clear and efficient design. The idea of a connection between the outdoors and indoors is far too often a cliched ideal, but in this case it is impressively delivered.
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You can tell the brief has been hit 100% with this scheme. And it shows you don't need £20,000,000 to build a clever house which brings you all of the detail, fun and design touches that anyone could ever need.
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It achieves a sense of luxury and a cosy home with beautifully detailed finishes, and architectural moments of joy such as the staircase and bath overlooking the surrounding greenery. It's great to see a project surpassing the RIBA 2030 Climate Targets.
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