Overlooking a leafy private square, this graceful Monkstown redbrick was built in 1925. The features and generous proportions of the rooms in the main house are typical of the era and so careful consideration was needed to maintain the distinct character of the house while re-ordering the house for contemporary life. As well as needing functional spaces such as a utility, pantry and garage, the clients wanted a large bright kitchen / dining space and full sized double bedrooms with plenty of storage.
The new front façade uses modern building materials to juxtapose the original Edwardian red brick, allowing it to stand unopposed in its intended glory. Positioned behind the main house, the two story extension is clad with grey slatted timber and zinc with standing seams.
At the back, a new wrap-around rear elevation will engage with a sloping rear garden and a South-westerly orientation, bringing light deep into the building. An ‘embrasure’ creates an interstitial space which mediates between house and garden, as well as creating a ceiling height more characteristic of the reception spaces of the original house.
The original house included a two storey return with an old outhouse. A modest conservatory was added later.
The original house included a two storey return with an old outhouse. A modest conservatory was added later.
Visualisation
To the front, the new elevation has been designed in counterpoint to the original building.
White plaster fascias pick up on the geometry of the original granite lintels.
The materials include zinc with standing seams and grey slatted timber cladding so that overall the extension is muted and subservient to the original house, as per planning requirements.
Visualisation
To the front, the new elevation has been designed in counterpoint to the original building.
White plaster fascias pick up on the geometry of the original granite lintels.
The materials include zinc with standing seams and grey slatted timber cladding so that overall the extension is muted and subservient to the original house, as per planning requirements.
Isometric
The new elevation zigzags around the principal living spaces of the house.
Structural diagram
Structural steel which supports the old and the new has been carefully laid out to increase the glazing height.
Interior Visualisation
The kitchen has been designed to be as open as possible to the private back garden and to maximise daylight penetration into the interior.
Cross Section
The rear of the house is surrounded by mature greenery and is being opened up to maximise daylight penetration into the middle of the building.
Solar orientation diagram
The house has a modest rear garden and the area of ground floor extension has been kept to a minimum in order to maximise the amount of green space.
A wraparound addition was proposed in response to the orientation where sunshine moves from the side to the rear of the house over the course of the afternoon.
Cross Section
The rear of the house is surrounded by mature greenery and is being opened up to maximise daylight penetration into the middle of the building.
Solar orientation diagram
The house has a modest rear garden and the area of ground floor extension has been kept to a minimum in order to maximise the amount of green space.
A wraparound addition was proposed in response to the orientation where sunshine moves from the side to the rear of the house over the course of the afternoon.
Location
Monkstown, Co. Dublin
Completion
Late 2020
Design Team Leader
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Architects
(Concept, Planning, Detailed Design & Construction)
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Building Control: Design Certifier & Assigned Certifier
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Health & Safety Project Supervisor (Design Stage)
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Structural Engineer
Hugh Stones
QS
FMMP
Main Contractor
Altox Ltd.
Foreman
Paul Corr
Visualisations
David Flynn Architects Ltd.