DAVID FLYNN
ARCHITECTS

Residential Design Specialists

Individually Tailored Homes

We are an award-winning architectural micro-practice specialising in residential projects, including newbuild, reconstruction and significant refurb / transformation of existing.We are currently involved in a small number of projects with construction values ranging from €350,000 up to €1.5m.

The majority of our projects will end up as highly efficient A-rated homes for life.

We have a track record in delivering highly bespoke projects which run smoothly through design, planning and construction stages, many of which have received awards and been widely published.

We use highly detailed 3D Digital models to plan, visualise and clearly communicate from early in the design process to ensure a successful outcome.

News
Spring / Summer 2023

Art Deco features restored to front elevation in Terenure

Deerpark

The external shell of a new house in completed with a sunny South-facing, triple-gabled, brick garden elevation. Internal fitout well underway and external terraced landscaping commencing.
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Art Deco features restored to front elevation in Terenure

Blackrock

The structural shell is almost finished on this reconstuction of a house in Blackrock. A deep canopy roof on the South-facing, garden elevation shades the interior.
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Art Deco features restored to front elevation in Terenure

Malahide

Moving in day in Malahide

Finishing touches being added to our reconstruction of a three-storey house in Malahide.
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More news

Work in Progress

Mount Merrion

A new two-storey house on a steeply sloping site replaces a dilapidated single-storey bungalow. Internally, eight gables shape eight vaulted ceilings to dramatic spaces underneath.

Calculated BER: A2
40.01 kWh/m2/yr
8.73 kgC02/m2/yr

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May 2023 update
Click here for construction photos

A large two-storey split level house on a steeply sloping site overlooking the city replaces a dilapidated bungalow. This new energy efficient house will use one third of the energy of the old one while providing for modern living.

Under Construction. Completion due Autumn 2023

Malahide

Reconstruction of a large three-storey house in a conservation area

Calculated BER: A3
56.04 kWh/m2/yr
10.9 kgC02/m2/yr

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Feb 2023 update
Click here for snagging stage photos

This mid-20th century dwelling forms half of a pair of distinct houses in Malahide. This house exhibits a number of fine features which contribute to the special character of the street, but internally the layout is an array of small rooms with winding corridors.

These details are to be retained and the quality and style of the street preserved while the interior rooms are reconfigured into large, bright spaces.
This new layout combines the flow and openness of open- plan with private break-out spaces, ideal for a growing family. Relocating the staircase, allows the new covered porch and hall door to be centred on the impressive front gable elevation, instead of hidden off to the side.
This provides long views through the entrance hall and living space directly out to the mature garden. At the rear, the existing flat roofed extension to the rear is to be rebuilt with a higher ceiling.
Floor-to-ceiling glazed sliders flood the living spaces with evening light, while a high level window and large rooflight capture the first morning rays ensuring the interior is bright throughout the day.

Under Construction. Completion due Spring 2023

Blackrock

A two-storey extension to the side and rear, as well as a new modern front façade transform a 1950s semi-D.

Calculated BER: A2
33.62 kWh/m2/yr
6.61 kgC02/m2/yr

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May 2023 update
Click here for construction photos

The front elevation is simplified and modernised with a mono-pitch roof extending over the existing structure and onto a new covered porch.A corner window brings morning light into a new office space.
The existing house possessed an expansive South facing garden, but the internal spaces were largely disconnected to the garden, accessed by a single door in the Sitting Room and partially blocked by existing sheds. With a modest kitchen and non-descript room to the front, the house required much work to become a home for a young family.
The proposed extension includes a large open plan kitchen living dining space opening out into the garden. Brick piers frame the view and continue outside to form a granite capped window seat and deep threshold which protects from glare and rain.Floor-to-ceiling sliders and a glass-to-glass corner window allow light to penetrate deep into the plan while a large rooflight over the dining area creates a soft wash of light down the wall.

These different sources of light provide a space that is well-lit and bright all year round.

At first floor a new large master bedroom overlooks the garden. Splayed walls capture as much light as possible from morning to evening.

Under Construction. Completion due Summer 2023.

See more Current Works

Ranelagh

Construction underway on a refurbishment and extension of a Tudor-style house in Ranelagh with fully accessible living space arranged around two courtyards
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Rear elevation of wraparound extension in Sandymount

Park Avenue

New addition to a Victorian house to create everyday living spaces.
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Timber sectional model through double height living space in house reconstruction

Poplars

New house in a Woodland setting. Lying in a slight hollow on a one acre site of mature woodland, the structural shell of an existing bungalow dating from the 1970s is planned to be incorporated into a new house.
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Completed Works

Terenure

“It feels airy and bright even in winter and works really well as a family home.”

Client comments

“Behind the unassuming facade of this semi-detached bungalow in Terenure lies a light-filled oasis ideal for modern family life.”

“Sensitive, simple, understated design.”

Jury Commentary

Project Award

A modern home is rebuilt behind the front gable of an existing dormer bungalow. To the rear, the North-facing elevation is enlivened with a dramatic glazed screen which sweeps out to catch afternoon sun.

The old semi-detached dormer bungalow was four rooms deep and four rooms wide: a domestic labyrinth on a large, valuable and very wide site in Terenure, Dublin.

Early on it was realised that the most economical option involved almost complete demolition of the existing; retaining only the party wall and the front gable of the original house. Behind this, and below the original bungalow's roof profile, a new two-storey highly efficient house was built.

The new layout is centred around a dramatic toplit double-height hallway which bounces daylight around the interior. This leads to a large kitchen / dining / living area overlooking the rear garden. This new elevation is North-facing and one side pops out in a graceful curve to catch late afternoon and evening sunlight.

Blackrock

“Red Wonder....

The best-loved spaces are rarely just austere, minimalist and perfectionist creations. They are busy, improvised and personal. This is clearly accommodated in David Flynn Architects' design”


Warm red-brick gives character to the front of this Arts-and-Crafts style house and this became the design driver for a double height extension to side and rear.

Located on a large site with an East facing garden in South Dublin, this house stood as originally built in the 1960’s. Without any modifications or additions, it had become unsuitable for contemporary family life. Our aim was to stretch into the garden to create large living spaces filled with natural light.

A stepped plan and large rooflight maximise Southern sunlight, ensuring the house feels bright all year round. Large glazed sliding doors open to the East allowing morning light to penetrate deep into the plan while the splayed brick reveals pull the living spaces out into the garden.

The extension takes the form of two interlocking volumes, each with a semi - sheltered patio extending into garden - one becomes a covered play area for children, over-looked by the kitchen window, the other a continuation of the dining area, perfect for family breakfasts.

Clonskeagh

“The team delivered in designing the home of our dreams.”

Client comments


A simple modernist material palette transforms a detached 1960s house into a timeless family home. By extending out to the side and rear, large open spaces are formed overlooking the mature rear garden.

A 1960s estate-type house sat on a very wide site with a fabulous garden to the rear. Garages to either side of the house were subsumed into the house, thus the challenge was to turn it all into a single coherent house, taking advantage of the site and orientation.

Extensive demolition works transformed the existing house and created a bright new family home, efficient in both layout and performance.

The front elevation is simplified to present a more timeless appearance, more sympathetic to the surrounding streetscape. New asymmetric bay windows with South-west facing glass-to-glass corners act like light boxes bouncing light around the interior.

To the rear, a dramatic new, tall elevation re-establishes a relationship with the garden and contains a large bay window to house the family dining table.

The master bedroom includes a super-tall dormer window to create a simple but dramatic interior space.

Sandymount

“Real architectural intelligence at work”

AAI Awards commentary

“It's an emblem of the new century, but with a delicacy that respects the old house.”

Project Award

A contemporary extension is added onto a fine Victorian house in Sandymount, Dublin. The new room aims to emulate the scale and grandeur of the original drawing room to the front of the house for everyday use.

This house is one of eight semi-detached, brick fronted houses built around 1870 in South Dublin. As originally designed, an ornate double-hipped two-storey volume to the front contained the main reception rooms and bedrooms with a lower, two storey return to the rear and a further lean-to back pantry.

Since then at least five separate building campaigns have altered the rear and side of the house to keep up with changing domestic norms.

Some time ago the original pantry was demolished to make way for a glazed conservatory across the two storey return. Developing this intent further we opened up the back of the house to the garden with a series of steel-framed portals. Facing almost due North, and recalling a seasonally inhospitable veranda, the new rear elevation was layered to provide some sense of threshold. The new room is lit by seven windows on three elevations, so as to mitigate against a stark northerly aspect.

Sandymount

“Full of light and warm details. A series of roof lights, interspersed with sculpted plaster curves, also allows light and shadows to move through the space during the day, creating beautiful effects.'

Project Award

“Thoughtful and clever use of natural light.”

Awards jury commentary


A 1960s semi-d in Sandymount is refurbished and extended with a new two-storey addition to the rear. At ground floor level, an offset in the plan allows Southlight to reach the back of the house.

This 1950s semi-detached house lies in the heart of Sandymount. The inefficient layout with a compact kitchen overlooking the long, north facing garden was ill fitted to modern family life.

While maintaining the character of the existing front facade and Dublin streetscape, the internal spaces are to be reconfigured to create large, open plan spaces.

A two storey extension pushes out from the rear of the house, accommodating a double bedroom and spacious kitchen living dining area which stretches into the garden. A series of roof lights with sculpted plaster downstand bulkheads flood the wall and space with light throughout the day, creating a warm, bright family area.

The two-storey garden elevation has evolved from carefully considered domestic and functional considerations to become a layered play of interlocking planes with a somewhat industrial character. As opposed to treating drainpipes and gutters as after thoughts, they are incorporated into the design. The tall aluminium rainwater pipe and box gutter are prominent articulating features of the rear façade.

Art Deco features restored to front elevation in Terenure

Wasdale

An unusual Art-Deco era house from 1938 is refurbished and extended to provide a modern home.
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High stepped ceilings to new kitchen dining space in Booterstown

Booterstown

With a wedge-shaped corner site, this house was refurbished and re-orientated to create privacy and take advantage of a perfect Southerly location.
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Wash of light from large rooflight over new kitchen in Booterstown

Woodbine

A typical north-facing 1960’s semi-D is refurbished and extended.
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See more Projects

Client Reviews

High ceiling extension with deep overhang and covered patio area

Glasnevin

“Very good experience with David Flynn. From the start he was engaged, communicated well, worked well with the builder while also keeping pressure on him which was important. We are very happy with how the design and overall build turned out. Good overall collaboration and communication with a fine end product we are very happy with.”

Retaining and refurbishing original art deco features in Harolds Cross

Harold's Cross

“The final result is stunning, as well as being a comfortable, bright and warm living space. We were pleased with David's professionalism, good humour, attention to detail & ability to manage the project so well. He showed a real respect for the era the house was built in & introduced beautiful & unusual design features to fit with that.”

Large rooflight creates a wash of light over built in shelving units on brick ledge in Booterstown

Clontarf

“The design is not only beautiful, but is also very practical and has created a fantastic bright and airy space which works very well for family life. David made great use of the space and created lots of additional storage throughout the house. He was very good at coming up with solutions for any problems we posed. We would have no hesitation in recommending David Flynn Architects”

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Make an enquiry

The quickest way to make an enquiry is to fill out the form below and we'll let you know about our availability to take the project on.

Phone: +353 (1) 534 3355

Email: enquiries@dflynn.com

1 Saint James' Terrace,
Clonskeagh Road,
Dublin D06 XK60


David Flynn Architects Limited is a Registered Company in Ireland (No. 567835.) Registered Office: 1 Saint James' Terrace, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin D06 XK60. VAT Registration Number IE3414632CH. The practice is covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance. Registered Architectural Practice with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (No. 13019.) International Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (No. 20004636.) The practice holds accreditations in Conservation (Grade III,) Health & Safety Project Supervisor (Design Stage) and Environmental CPD.






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*Our fees for a full service are generally 10.5% of the construction value subject to a detailed Fee Proposal being issued prior to appointment.






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