With a wedge-shaped corner site, this house was refurbished and re-orientated to create privacy and take advantage of a perfect Southerly location. A tall white-brick portico shades the interior.
Residential Extension: 35.9m2, Refurbishment: 127m2 Photography: Aisling McCoy
Two felicitous accidents of siting distinguish this house from the many thousands of similar speculative estate-type houses built in the 1960s and 70s in South Dublin: a triangular corner site and an almost due-South orientation to the rear. Largely untouched since its original construction, the house required complete replacement of all services, thermal performance upgrading, and the creation of a large family space for cooking, eating, and relaxing.
The rear of the house was opened up completely and a new extension created. This extension is orientated according to the geometry of the site and its outlook is both wider and more private as a consequence.
To the rear, the new rear elevation steps up in height, in proportion to the size of room it serves, and is protected from midday sunshine by a shallow portico which tracks the motion of the sun from morning till evening. This portico is a timber-framed construction nestled between masonry piers which are finished in white brick.
The back wall of the house was completely broken out at ground floor area in order to create a seamless transition between old and new spaces.
The back wall of the house was completely broken out at ground floor area in order to create a seamless transition between old and new spaces.
The simple, limited palette of materials creates a timeless space. Diffused light is reflected by the different materials resulting in a bright space all year round.
An external window allows morning light to fill the portico while providing shelter from the wind and rain, creating an ideal place for morning coffee breaks.
Photos: Aisling McCoy
The simple, limited palette of materials creates a timeless space. Diffused light is reflected by the different materials resulting in a bright space all year round.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
An external window allows morning light to fill the portico while providing shelter from the wind and rain, creating an ideal place for morning coffee breaks.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Ground Floor plan
The geometry of the ground floor plan is reorientated according to the long dimension of the rear garden. The new portico is offset from the boundary to leave space for a narrow eastlerly window.
Solar orientation diagram
The portico is shifted off due-South to create a bias towards afternoon, evening sunshine, and avoid any risk of midday overheating due to a large expanse of glass.
Ground Floor plan
The geometry of the ground floor plan is reorientated according to the long dimension of the rear garden. The new portico is offset from the boundary to leave space for a narrow eastlerly window.
Solar orientation diagram
The portico is shifted off due-South to create a bias towards afternoon, evening sunshine, and avoid any risk of midday overheating due to a large expanse of glass.
The portico consists of a painted timber-framed structure nestled between white brickwork piers.
A narrow easterly window sits in an inglenook area with a lower ceiling. This is free floorspace intended as a play area for children. The bulkhead ceiling above is curved to absorb the shifting geometry of the extension layout.
Photos: Aisling McCoy
The portico consists of a painted timber-framed structure nestled between white brickwork piers.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
A narrow easterly window sits in an inglenook area with a lower ceiling. This is free floorspace intended as a play area for children. The bulkhead ceiling above is curved to absorb the shifting geometry of the extension layout.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
“Inside the extension, the white brick creates a bright space of timeless modernist character.”
The Gloss Magazine
“ David brought us a very unique design which we absolutely love.
It was an old south facing house and he created this huge open plan bright space for us. We are delighted with how the project turned out
He is very professional and was very thorough with his regular site visits. ”
Client review
The Portico is shifted off the geometry of the original house and is orientated towards the longer dimension of the back garden.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The Portico is shifted off the geometry of the original house and is orientated towards the longer dimension of the back garden.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The kitchen includes a narrow west-facing slot window which admits the last of the evening sunshine.
White brick to the back of the island brings continuity with the new architecture of the building.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The kitchen includes a narrow west-facing slot window which admits the last of the evening sunshine.
White brick to the back of the island brings continuity with the new architecture of the building.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The ceiling over the dining area steps up above the existing ceiling level, in proportion to the size of the room.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The ceiling over the dining area steps up above the existing ceiling level, in proportion to the size of the room.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Contrasting materials create depth and interest throughout the space.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Contrasting materials create depth and interest throughout the space.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
A shallow high window over the kitchen counter captures the end of the evening light, while the mirror reflects the light throughout the space.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
A shallow high window over the kitchen counter captures the end of the evening light, while the mirror reflects the light throughout the space.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Location
Booterstown, Dublin
Completion
End 2016
Architect
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Structural Engineer
Kavanagh Mansfield & Partners
Main Contractor
Merrion Contracting Ltd.
Foreman (Substructures)
Michael Molloy
Foreman (Superstructure)
Padraig Phibbs
Foreman (Completion)
Kieron Mostyn
Specialist timber joinery
DBOR
Photography
Aisling McCoy