PRIVATE HOUSE

Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin

Completed 2000

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Extension to Family House

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

The client’s brief was to adapt this post war house to accommodate the needs of a modern family. This entailed the remodelling and renovation of the existing house with an extension to the rear to accommodate a family space (a new heart) and which was large enough to accommodate independent activities, an additional bedroom, service spaces and to utilise the garden.

Works to the existing house are minimal with windows enlarged wherever possible and a link formed through double doors onto the patio. The key feature of the project is the new family space in the single storey extension. All ground floor areas both internal and external are organised around this space. The roof is profiled with the walls designed to maximise views and light whilst maintaining the sense of security and enclosure for cold winter evenings.

The fitted storage unit disguises a door into the corridor, with access to utility space together with a shower room and bedroom for the eldest son. Hiding the door and changing the scale of this space identifies this area as somewhere private unlike the adjoining social ground floor areas.

This family space links the external spaces of garden, patio, pond and the side court. The over-sailing structure supporting the roof plane allows the glazed corner to slide away, allowing the interior and exterior spaces to overlap during the summer months.

Received OPUS Building of the Year Award.

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