The refurbishment and extension of this artisan dwelling in Dublin 8, includes the reorganisation of internal layouts and demolition of a poorly constructed rear extension.

The client’s wish was to provide a home for their small family which maximized the available space and light and to engage with the garden while maintaining a sense of privacy.

 The design opens up the existing ground floor providing a living space extending into the kitchen and dining areas which are in the ground floor extension. Two bedrooms are provided within the existing first floor with a bathroom pod and void area within the first floor extension. The double height space located at the junction of old and new acts as the heart of the house providing height while capturing and allowing daylight to penetrate the existing house as well as providing a visual connection between first and ground floor.

 The massing of the building is conceived as a series of stacked solid elements with glazed void spaces between responding to the daylighting requirements and to define relationships between the garden and the living spaces.

The ground bearing solid elements are rendered masonry with the stacked elements being timber trusses clad in darkly stained timber.

 Solar panels provide hot water for the dwelling