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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.

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.

See more animations here.

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

Isabel’s Picks for Autumn 2016

September 15, 2016 / barros / 0 Comments

SHORTER DAYS ARE ON THEIR WAY

Prepare to stay indoors more

1. LAMP

Brand: Lumio

Designer: Max Gunawan

Product name: Lumio Lamp

Price range: from €111

Material: Wood cover and water-resistant and 100% recyclable DuPont™ Tyvek®.

Key features: Hi-output LED; 500 lumen (slightly brighter than 40w bulb), 2700K (soft warm white), rechargeable lithium ion battery provides up to 8 hours of full charge with continual use.

Available to Ireland from: Lumio Shop

2. SHELF

Trademark: Woodendot Lab

Name: Pelican

Price range: from €75

Material: Plywood and lacquered steel.

Features: Hidden hooks. Load capacity: 30 kg pr. shelf.

Available to Ireland from: Woodendot Shop

3. SPORTS FLOORING

Manufacturer: Sports Partner

Name: Naxos

Price range: n/a

Material: Polypropylene with UV stabilizer.

Key features: Improved rebound damping action provided by a damping membrane with air cavity. Physical integrity protection of the athletes, through the absorption of both Vertical and Lateral shocks. Reduces the risk of knees and lower back injuries. Perfect surface, with a superb level of grip in all directions and for every sport, including roller sports.
Perfect ball rebound. Easily portable. Easy install and uninstall. No use of glues or other fixing materials. Applicable in any solid surface. Totally customizable. Resistant to extreme temperatures, water and humidity. No maintenance costs. Certified by the International Handball Federation.

Available to Ireland from: Sports Partner

4. RAINSCREEN SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Manufacturer: Nvelope

Price range: n/a

Material: Extruded aluminium alloys.

Key facts: British board of agrement (BBA) certification. Rainscreen cladding support systems based on NV vertical and NH horizontal helping hand brackets and a range of NVELOPE vertically and horizontally fixed profiles. NVELOPE can be used to support HPL, Timber, Fibre cement, Ceramic, Thin Stone, Metal, ACM, Glass.

Available in Ireland from: Approved installers.

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See More Picks

See Full Gallery of Isabel’s Picks

Building Costs in Ireland 2016

August 25, 2016 / barros / 7 Comments

THIS ARTICLE IS OUTDATED – Click here for our most recent post about Construction Costs in Ireland (2019).

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Every year we share useful information to guide you on the costs for your construction project in Ireland. This article will help you to estimate an approximate figure for your building costs.

You can read our other articles in this series here.

Following the difficult years of the global financial crisis Ireland is now the fastest-growing economy in the EU. Overall construction output in 2016 is expected to improve by 2.6%.

Demand for construction activity continues to rise but the industry will continue to face resourcing challenges to meet demand.

Average Irish Construction Prices 2016

The average construction costs table is generated using Bruce Shaw’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs. Bruce Shaw’s database is the largest construction cost database in Ireland.

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Average Irish Construction Costs 2016. Source: Bruce Shaw

Turner & Townsend‘s annual construction cost survey provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of construction costs in Ireland, in 2016.

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International building costs per m2 of internal area, in 2016. Source: Turner & Townsend

Labour rates and Construction Materials Prices

Turner & Townsend‘s annual construction cost survey provides labour costs and also the prices for some materials. Their cost escalation forecast for 2016-2017 is 6%.

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Turnerandtownsend_Material and labour 2016

Labour and Materials Prices, 2016. Source: Turner & Townsend

The latest monthly data from CSO recorded that all materials prices increased by 1.1% in the year since July 2015.

The most notable yearly changes were increases in Sand and gravel (+11.0%), Stone (+8.3%) and Fabricated metal (+7.4%), while there were decreases in Copper pipes and fittings (-4.2%), Glass (-4.1%) and Ready mixed mortar and concrete (-2.0%).

Guide to Rebuilding Costs in Ireland

The Society of Chartered Surveyors publishes every year a guide to rebuilding costs in Ireland. This guide is intended to assist in insuring a house and the costs included are based on building rates as of June 2016.

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Table of Rebuilding Costs June 2016. Source: Society of Chartered Surveyors.

SCSI also provides a House Rebuilding Cost Calculator here. This calculator can be used as a guide to give you a minimum base cost for your construction project.

Typical Exclusions

There are a number of other expenses that you should also consider when estimating your project. See some of the exclusions that may apply to your project here.

Architect’s fees will vary based on a number of factors ranging from size and complexity to level of the service required. These two articles provide some guidelines:

Additionally, you may also need to allow for: