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.
Residential Extension: 37m2, Refurbishment: 115m2
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 were 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.
Garden view
Views from a large window are framed by a brick pier and ledge. Low furniture allows uninterrupted views of the garden beyond.
Garden view
Views from a large window are framed by a brick pier and ledge. Low furniture allows uninterrupted views of the garden beyond.
Context model
The site is located close to a corner where the houses are arranged quite close to each other. The extension was carefully laid out so as to have no impact on adjoining propertoies and be exempt from planning.
Solar orientation diagram
The main spaces to the rear of the house have a northerly orientation.
Context model
The site is located close to a corner where the houses are arranged quite close to each other. The extension was carefully laid out so as to have no impact on adjoining propertoies and be exempt from planning.
Solar orientation diagram
The main spaces to the rear of the house have a northerly orientation.
Living room rooflight
A series of narrow rooflights allow warm Southerly light to penetrate deep into the living spaces throughout the day.
Brick ledge
A low brick ledge wraps around the perimeter of the new open plan space forming shelving and window seats as desired.
Living room rooflight
A series of narrow rooflights allow warm Southerly light to penetrate deep into the living spaces throughout the day.
Brick ledge
A low brick ledge wraps around the perimeter of the new open plan space forming shelving and window seats as desired.
“We are so delighted with the final design.”
“
We really enjoyed working with David from the initial meetings to discuss our project and ideas right through to completion and the finished house.
We were looking to extend and modernise a 1950s semi detached.
The initial drawings and ideas which David presented showed us some of the wonderful potential in the building and how we could make the most of all of its aspects including an amazing picture window at the back of the house to maximise light.
We are so delighted with the final design and having lived in the house for a few months now we are also enjoying the practicality of the layout and features for day to day family life!
David and his team are an absolute pleasure to work with.
”
Client review
Rainwater detail
A square rainwater pipe is recessed into the brickwork drawing the eye up to a tall zinc cap.
Rainwater detail
A square rainwater pipe is recessed into the brickwork drawing the eye up to a tall zinc cap.
Exploded Axonometric
The extension responds to the unpredictable weather and climate in Dublin – capturing evening sunlight through the series of rooflights while a feature downpipe collects rainwater from the flat roof.
Exploded Axonometric
The extension responds to the unpredictable weather and climate in Dublin – capturing evening sunlight through the series of rooflights while a feature downpipe collects rainwater from the flat roof.
Inside-outside
Brick pier and ledge extend from outside to inside, separated only by a black frame.
Inside-outside
Brick pier and ledge extend from outside to inside, separated only by a black frame.
Ground Floor Plan
The rear extension pushes out into the garden allowing greater access, views and sunlight. The plan is offset away from the boundary to allow sunlight to penetrate from early evening onward, flooding the space with warm Westerly light.
A converted garage to the front creates a new unified elevation while providing a new playroom and efficient utility room.
First Floor Plan
A new double bedroom aligns with the extension below to be as economic as possible. A large window overlooks the rear garden and allows evening light to fill the space while remaining planning exempt. An efficient layout creates a more generous family bathroom, a new master ensuite and ample storage spaces.
Floorplans
The rear extension pushes out into the garden allowing greater access, views and sunlight.
On the first floor, a new double bedroom aligns with the extension below to be as economical as possible.
A plasterboard bulkhead and white counter wrap around the kitchen workspace. Built-in shelving niches sit between these creating a minimalist recessed kitchen with clean lines and ample storage space.
A plasterboard bulkhead and white counter wrap around the kitchen workspace. Built-in shelving niches sit between these creating a minimalist recessed kitchen with clean lines and ample storage space.
Sectional Perspective
A line of rooflights to the side of the kitchen / dining / living space admits warm Southerly light. Curved soffits between them give a sculptural play of light.
Living room rooflights
Curved beams create a soft, almost ethereal atmosphere on cloudy afternoons.
Sectional Perspective
A line of rooflights to the side of the kitchen / dining / living space admits warm Southerly light. Curved soffits between them give a sculptural play of light.
Living room rooflights
Curved beams create a soft, almost ethereal atmosphere on cloudy afternoons.
Living room rooflights
Sculptural curved plasterboard reflects and bounces light into the north-facing space creating different experiences every day.
Living room rooflights
Sculptural curved plasterboard reflects and bounces light into the north-facing space creating different experiences every day.
Kitchen window
The brick ledge continues into the kitchen creating a deep brick window seat. This allows easy access a new herb garden in brick planters which sit just outside within arm's length.
Kitchen window
The brick ledge continues into the kitchen creating a deep brick window seat. This allows easy access a new herb garden in brick planters which sit just outside within arm's length.
Rainwater detail
New brickwork contrasts sharp black rainwater pipe.
Rear elevation
The new two-storey extension sits within the brick surroundings of Sandymount. New living spaces over-look the garden through a large glazed screen.
Before
The original house was a typical 1960s semi-d but with some unusual details such as Roman profiled roof tiles, extended areas to the side of the house and a robust in-situ concrete construction not often found in speculative housing.
Rainwater detail
New brickwork contrasts sharp black rainwater pipe.
Rear elevation
The new two-storey extension sits within the brick surroundings of Sandymount. New living spaces over-look the garden through a large glazed screen.
Before
Location
Sandymount, Dublin
Completion
May 2019
Design Team Leader
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Architects
(Concept, Planning, Detailed Design & Construction)
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Health & Safety Project Supervisor (Design Stage)
David Flynn Architects Ltd.
Structural Engineer
PCA Consulting Engineers
Quantity Surveyor (preliminary costing)
FMMP
Main Contractor
Drumlargan Construction Ltd.
Foreman
Martin O'Neill
Concept visualisations
David Flynn Architects Ltd.