iorram

Iorram is a contemporary interpretation of a traditional cottage in the Scottish Highlands, by Baillie Baillie Architects. Celebrating the use of local timber, as well as local tradition, Colin and Megan Baillie designed and built the house for themselves, creating a compact holiday let that allows them to promote the virtues of sustainable design and craftsmanship.

The self-build project took a low-tech, natural materials-led approach, using monolithic clay block walls – a material which is simple to construct, durable, and completely plastic free. The deep blockwork is finished in natural clay plaster and traditional lime harling. Scottish Douglas Fir, sustainably felled and milled in the Highlands, was used for all timber structural elements, wall linings, and details. Baillie Baillie took an innovative approach to minimise waste material - with timber offcuts used to make mortised doors and kitchen cabinets. Using a restrained palette, the house is a celebration of craftsmanship and simplicity.

Despite a compact internal area of 38sqm, Colin and Megan wanted to show that they could create a feeling of generosity, which is achieved through varied qualities of light and volume, as well as the use of warm, tactile materials. Apertures are configured sparingly with a single large east-facing window angled to take in the landscape with long views across the bay and low-morning sun.