Category: Featured (Page 5 of 6)

Clonmore House – Wexford

May 22, 2018 / barros / 1 Comment

One thing we can take it from granted when we visit a rural site in Ireland – green pastures!

On our first visit to this site we were greeted by our young clients and Bel, the sheep.

It was easy to get lost in the stunning open views of the hills but Bel reminded us this was a working farm.

This site in North Wexford has a gentle south-facing slope and it offers the ideal location for our farmer client to build his future family home.

Re-inventing the traditional farmyard layout

The proposal was strongly inspired by the rural location, the farm environment and the close proximity to existing farm buildings. The traditional farmyard layout (see no. 1 below) was the starting point for the new scheme.

The existing site contours are used as the regulating lines for the new layout. They shift the smaller volume until it is stopped by the 2 storey volume (see no. 2 above). The result is a layout that easily meets the current lifestyle of its occupants while reflecting cultural values of the traditional farmyard layout.

The main living spaces open up to south to enjoy the best views and passive solar gains. The windows frame the views to the surrounding farmlands and hills. The bedrooms face east to enjoy the morning light. The living room connects to an outside space that is sheltered from the weather and can be used all year around.

A palette of natural and man-made materials is proposed. Stone walls feature throughout the house recalling the character of agricultural buildings. The zinc has a strong agricultural feel that balances the composition whilst connecting the traditional gabled volumes. This is contrasted with the stone and white render which act as contemporary, yet rural materials.

The layout optimises the use of solar energy and aims to achieve an A3 BER rating (50 kWh/m2/yr).

See more animations here.

Do you have a similar project? Talk to us today!

The Secret Guide to Deal with Architects – Take 10

November 24, 2016 / barros / 0 Comments

Our 10th and last secret tip about how to deal with an Architect is about evaluating performance.

If you have just landed here do not miss our previous tips:

10. Provide Feedback

Good or bad! Your Architect wants to hear from you. Your Architect wants to know if you are happy with his/her services, how can he/she improve or if there is a better way to do things. Feedback is a powerful means of personal development. It may help your Architect to be more productive or to excel in his/her performance.

Hot Tip: Get into the habit of providing regular feedback at the end of each project stage. Make your feedback timely, specific, and frequent. The best feedback is a combination of praise, areas for improvement, and specific suggestions. But a single line of text may just be enough! (Our feedback survey is always accessible, if you don’t have the link for it just ask us.)

Start from Take 1 – Stages

River House – Kilkenny

September 30, 2016 / barros / 3 Comments

There is something magical about being so close to the water.

From the very first visit we felt this was a unique location and we wanted to make the most of it. The brief asked for additional accommodation to meet current lifestyle demands.

The site presents a number of challenges, including a house over 150 years old, the proximity to a Special Area of Conservation (River Nore), the existing topography, and so on…

Early in the design process a strong direction was identified as being the one that would respect the existing wood while taking full advantage of the river views.

The proposal calls for an adaptive reuse of the existing house. The new volumes create an amicable relationship with the old house, mimicking it in a contemporary way.

A new axis is created to link the different elements. This axis regulates the space by creating a clear circulation path that works like a journey of discovery around the house. The light and views are captured and framed to enhance the all experience.

The main living space offers a full open view to the river. Framed views of the surrounding landscape are provided by projecting windows that puncture the main structure.

The concept resolves the complex constraints on site by designing a house that is in harmony with the site and with the existing old house, which dates back to the early 1800’s or possibly late 1700’s.