About us

Paterson Gordon Architecture is an award-winning, contemporary architectural practice. We approach each project individually and work to balance the needs of our client, brief and design aesthetics with the opportunities of the site, budget and sustainability considerations.

We have extensive experience gained from many years in private practice, which allows us to bring knowledge, creativity and professionalism to your project. We are registered with the Architect’s Registration Board (ARB) and are members of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). We carry professional indemnity insurance to a value of £1m.

We designed and built our own extension to our listed cottage at Loch Lomond. We accomplished this almost entirely without the use of professional trades as a true ‘self-build’. It allowed us to act as client, architect and builder so we completely understand the process from start to finish and since we’ve experienced the challenges and triumphs of designing and building your own home, we are able to lead our clients through what can appear to be a daunting process.

If you would like to discuss your ideas for a project, we would be delighted to hear from you.


Elaine Paterson Gordon

Elaine (M. Arch. ARB RIAS) graduated from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art in 2005. She worked as an architect for renowned global architecture company RMJM for nine years before creating Paterson Gordon Architecture in 2014.

During her time at RMJM, Elaine worked as project architect of the £50, University of the West of Scotland Ayr campus and the £150m award-winning Athletes’ Village for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Awards & Publications

Daily Telegraph Hombuilding & Renovating Awards 2022 – Best Extension
Herald Scotland ‘Best of Scotland’ magazine June 2022
Homes & Interiors Scotland ‘Architecture 19’
Herald Scotland Property Awards 2018 Shortlisted
Daily Telegraph Homebulding & Renovating Awards 2018 – Best Renovation

Client testimonials

Elaine did a fantastic job. From initial engagement through to final completion she was responsive and highly professional. She provided the ideas and inspiration we were looking for during the initial phase of the work and managed the delivery very effectively with the builder, helping to deal with the odd difficult moment when these arose. […]

Brian Johnston

Paterson Gordon Architecture exceeded our expectations in every way. Elaine’s creative vision, attention to detail and seamless project management left us with the space we were looking for. Professional, innovative and a pleasure to work with. We couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommended!

Kevin Kinch

A real testament to the quality of the creation of the design and the level of detail that Elaine provided was that nothing changed during the build. Perhaps even more impressive is that we have lived in the house for 3 years now and there is still nothing that we think is missing or is in the wrong place.

Alan & Lorna Nimmo

We are extremely grateful for the careful and thoughtful way in which Elaine has guided us through what was certainly a more complex process than we had anticipated and we are delighted with the result, which is fresh and creative and a wonderful retirement home.

John & Nena Riches

Elaine was very professional from the start to the completion of our project. We thought she understood the brief very well and that led onto what we thought was a creative process of alternative designs and innovative solutions for awkward spaces. We were delighted with the work Elaine did and we ended up with a fabulous extension.

Nicole & Calum McKnight

Elaine at Paterson Gordon Architecture is a pleasure to work with. Very knowledgable, responsive and great attention to detail. Did an excellent job of keeping contractors on track. Highly recommend for anyone looking for architectural services.

Robin MacLellan

I would wholeheartedly recommend Paterson Gordon Architecture to anyone looking for a contemporary, beautiful and practical extension – we could not be happier with the end result.

Matthew Alexander

Paterson Gordon Architecture drew up plans for our two storey extension and provided project management services as well. We were delighted with the plans, which were so much better than our own ideas! We have already recommended Elaine to many friends and family undertaking similar projects.

Iain Nisbet

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