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!
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more
often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!