Alford Courtyard House
A new courtyard house for a young family near Alford in Aberdeenshire.
The house takes its form from a particular Aberdeenshire steading type, where buildings are arranged to form a courtyard that is open at one end. This creates a sheltered internal garden while maintaining a strong relationship to the wider landscape. The arrangement gives the house a clear orientation, balancing enclosure and openness while allowing it to sit comfortably within its rural setting.
Rooms are organised so each can open directly onto the courtyard, allowing daily life to extend easily outdoors. In warmer months, the house can be opened up to form a continuous relationship between interior and garden. The courtyard becomes the centre of the home, bringing light and outlook into the plan while creating a protected external space that is usable throughout the year.
A lightweight timber structure and timber cladding reduce embodied carbon and allow the building to sit lightly on the land. Photovoltaics and an air source heat pump support a low-energy approach, ensuring the house performs efficiently while remaining closely connected to its landscape.