The old semi-detached dormer bungalow was four rooms deep and four rooms wide: a domestic labyrinth on a large, valuable and very wide site in Terenure, Dublin.
Early on it was realised that the most economical option involved almost complete demolition of the existing; retaining only the party wall and the front gable of the original house. Behind this, and below the original bungalow's roof profile, a new two-storey highly efficient house was built.
The new layout is centred around a dramatic toplit double-height hallway which bounces daylight around the interior. This leads to a large kitchen / dining / living area overlooking the rear garden. This new elevation is North-facing and one side pops out in a graceful curve to catch late afternoon and evening sunlight.
Kitchen Dining Living
The open plan kitchen / living / dining area is a bright, warm space, perfect for modern family living.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Axonometric drawing
The built-in kitchen is recessed into walls and under bulkheads. Behind it, a pantry area gives access to the utility room. Beside the windows, a long built-in bench catches the evening sunshine.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Axonometric drawing
The built-in kitchen is recessed into walls and under bulkheads. Behind it, a pantry area gives access to the utility room. Beside the windows, a long built-in bench catches the evening sunshine.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
The built-in kitchen is recessed into walls and under bulkheads. Behind it, a pantry area gives access to the utility room. Beside the windows, a long built-in bench catches the evening sunshine.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Cross Sectional model
The interior of the house is organised around a toplit, partially double height hallway. The ground floor to the rear is stepped down to garden level to increase ceiling height to the main living space.
Curtain-wall glazing
A floor-to-ceiling glazed screen sweeps out into the patio area and features dramatic curved sections.
Night and daytime views.Photos: Aisling McCoy
Exploded Axonometric detail
Around the hall door area, a new bay window brings warm, Southern light into the hallway and includes a built in window seat. Externally the bay window roof wraps around to form a porch over the hall door. It is supported on timber posts which in turn rest on an external brick planter.
Exploded axonometric
All that was left of the original house was the party wall it shares with its neighbour and the front gable wall.
Exploded Axonometric detail
Around the hall door area, a new bay window brings warm, Southern light into the hallway and includes a built in window seat. Externally the bay window roof wraps around to form a porch over the hall door. It is supported on timber posts which in turn rest on an external brick planter.
Exploded axonometric
All that was left of the original house was the party wall it shares with its neighbour and the front gable wall.
The front of the house was sympathically improved so as to maintain coherence with its neighbour but create an attractive, modern home.
Roof tiles were retained and reused so that the house has the appearance of always having been there.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
During
Progress photo showing temporary propping of the retained walls. The outline of the old footprint can be seen in the foreground.
Living Room
The living area is focused on a gas fire with a fair-faced concrete mantel that becomes a shelf extending the full width of the room.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Stair Hall
The sunny entrance hall is the main organising feature of the house with a large bay window to the front.
The stair balustrade curves around a generous toplit landing.
Photos: Aisling McCoy
“We could not be happier with the end result!”
“ David was our architect for a rebuild of an old run down property. He took all our requests on board and came up with a fantastic design. It feels airy and bright even in winter and works really well as a family home.
He pays a lot of attention to planning every detail and we could not be happier with the end result! ”
Client review
“Behind the unassuming facade is a light-filled oasis ideal for modern family life.”
House + Design Magazine Featured Project
Night-time view
Glazing is organised into two modernist ribbon bands.
Photo: Aisling McCoy
Completion
Feb 2017
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
Kavanagh Mansfield & Partners
Quantity Surveyor
Pat Shanley & Associates
Energy Consultant
NRGia
Main Contractor
Merrion Contracting Ltd.
Foreman
(Demolition, Ground works)
Michael Molloy
Foreman
(Main structure, Completion)
Graham Lawlor
Glazed screen / facade specialist
ADT Aluminium Ltd.
Photography
Aisling McCoy