Moxon Architects Corriebeg House Extension in Scotland Inspired by Farmsteads

The Corriebeg project by Moxon Architects reworks a rural Aberdeenshire house. It adds two barn-like volumes and upgrades the home to Passivhaus standards.

This blog post examines how the design expands living and working spaces. The project prioritizes daylight, landscape views, and energy efficiency, using a timber palette inspired by local buildings.

Corriebeg: A Rural Extension Clad in Timber Battens

Set near Sauchen, Corriebeg extends the existing dwelling by introducing two gabled volumes clad in timber battens. The new volumes are arranged to reference local farmsteads.

A glazed link with a green roof connects the new structures to the original house. The cluster of buildings maximizes daylight and frames views of the landscape.

This arrangement creates a clear sequence from the entrance to the living and working spaces.

Design Strategy: Form, Flow, and Light

The new entrance hall sits between the old and new volumes. It opens into a skylit living and dining space with an exposed concrete fireplace.

A centrally positioned study organizes the plan. The bedroom suite projects outward, creating a corner window with a sliding timber shutter for light control and views.

• Two barn-like volumes with timber battens
• Glazed link with a green roof
• Skylit living/dining area and exposed concrete fireplace
• Centrally placed study and a projecting bedroom suite
• Expanded kitchen, utility, bathroom and a first-floor bedroom strategy

Structure and Materials: A Vernacular-Inspired Envelope

External materials are inspired by local agriculture, using slate roofs, galvanized gutters, and vertical and horizontal timber battens. Interiors combine concrete floors, white plastered surfaces, and plywood panelling.

High gabled skylights bring diffused daylight deeper into the home.

Passivhaus Performance and Environmental Strategy

Corriebeg achieves Passivhaus performance with high insulation, triple-glazed south-facing windows, and louvres for solar control. A mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery helps maintain indoor comfort throughout the year.

Why It Matters for Scotland’s Highlands

By upgrading an existing house instead of expanding its footprint, Corriebeg supports sustainable growth in sensitive landscapes. Moxon Architects adds to its regional portfolio with a project focused on performance and context-aware design in the Scottish Highlands.

About Moxon Architects

Moxon Architects was founded in 2004. The firm is based in London and Crathie.

They specialize in performance-led projects across Scotland and beyond. Corriebeg is part of their work that combines timber traditions with modern details and high energy standards.

For those interested in rural design, Corriebeg provides a guide. It shows how to extend buildings thoughtfully, control light, and achieve Passivhaus comfort using materials that fit the landscape.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Moxon Architects references farmsteads for Corriebeg house extension in Scotland