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.
Residential Extension: 25m2, Refurbishment: 35m2
Photography: Barbara Corsico
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.
The sloping ceiling over the living space rises up to the same height as the original reception rooms.
A new teak glazed screen is broken into a lower section and an upper clerestorey section which transitions the light from inside to out.
To the right a gas fire is recessed into a modern-day inglenook.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
The sloping ceiling over the living space rises up to the same height as the original reception rooms.
A new teak glazed screen is broken into a lower section and an upper clerestorey section which transitions the light from inside to out.
To the right a gas fire is recessed into a modern-day inglenook.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
Model view
The new addition sits like a pavillion in the garden with an oversailing roof straddling the outside space on either side.
Exploded axonometric
The extension is mostly a dashed masonry construction, like the original, but with a steel and timber framed elevation onto the garden; like a very large bay window.
Model view
The new addition sits like a pavillion in the garden with an oversailing roof straddling the outside space on either side.
Exploded axonometric
The extension is mostly a dashed masonry construction, like the original, but with a steel and timber framed elevation onto the garden; like a very large bay window.
At night the clerestorey window glows like a lantern.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
At night the clerestorey window glows like a lantern.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
Model view
The new canopy roof is supported on slender steel columns and finished in Zinc with standing seams.
The division of the fenestration creates a rhythmic play with the steel columns.
A timber ceiling to the rear creates a sort of indoor porch area to the living space.
Model view
The new canopy roof is supported on slender steel columns and finished in Zinc with standing seams.
The division of the fenestration creates a rhythmic play with the steel columns.
Model view
A timber ceiling to the rear creates a sort of indoor porch area to the living space.
The canopy roof is supported on narrow steel columns: to the outer sides these are 'L's and in the centre is a structural Tee.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
The canopy roof is supported on narrow steel columns: to the outer sides these are 'L's and in the centre is a structural Tee.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
A narrow slot window to the right of the inglenook fireplace faces East and creates a cheerful little shaft of light every morning.
The dining area is recessed into a niche to the side of the extension for a more intimate atmosphere.
Photos: Barbara Corsico
A narrow slot window to the right of the inglenook fireplace faces East and creates a cheerful little shaft of light every morning.Photo: Barbara Corsico
The dining area is recessed into a niche to the side of the extension for a more intimate atmosphere.
Photo: Barbara Corsico
Before
Before works, the old kitchen was located in a covered side passage,
and the only room enjoying the garden was a draughty conservatory which could only be used on certain days of the year.
An inner TV room received very little daylight or air and worked like a circulation space.
Photo: David Flynn Architects
Location
Sandymount, Dublin
Architect
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Structural Engineer
RBCE Consulting Engineers
Main Contractor
Oak Ridge Construction Ltd.
Foreman
Paul Ennis
Specialist joinery
Daingean Joinery
Sheet metal roofing
Boyle Copper & Zinc
Stone
Artefaction Ltd.
Photography
Barbara Corsico
Before works, the old kitchen was located in a covered side passage,
and the only room enjoying the garden was a draughty conservatory which could only be used on certain days of the year.
An inner TV room received very little daylight or air and worked like a circulation space.
Photo: David Flynn Architects
