thinking Blue sky - Folding...

renovate summer 2012 17

thinkingBlue sky

Two new extensions, including an atrium-style kitchen, and remodeling of the return, transformed a dark, cramped interiorinto a light-filled, streamlined space that brings the outdoors in.

WORDS: CAROLINE ALLEN

Renovate_Winter_2011_p17-21:Layout 1 23/05/2012 10:07 Page 9

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The owners of this 19th century house, a couple looking ahead toretirement, were keen to make it better reflect modern living andtheir needs in particular. “The original house was similar in terms oflayout and appearance to many of the houses along Moyne Road,”remarks architect Alan O’Connell of OC Architects & Design. Entry

was through a solid timber main door, with a sitting and dining room on theground floor of the main house and a kitchen in the return. The first floorreturn, accessed by a simple timber staircase, contained the bathroom and thefirst floor of the main house had two bedrooms with a recently added study inthe attic space.

REVITALISATIONThe house had survived from the mid-1890s with its exterior and its maininternal spaces relatively unaltered, apart from a single storey extension to therear, which formed part of the kitchen area. “The dwelling underwent amoderate makeover and extension in the late 1980s but, in general, was dark,

FACT PANELType of house: A protected 19thcentury Victorian terraced dwelling.Its front elevation is two-storey redbrick with simple contrasting brickdecorations, horizontal blue/blackbrick bands at the window heads,blue/black brick forming alternatedecorations at window arches andtoothed red brick decoration underthe granite parapet. Location: Moyne Road, Ranelagh,Dublin 6. The area was developed inthe late 19th century and was typicalof suburban development at the time,providing family homes for the middleclass working in the city centre. Theterrace of which this house formspart, to the east of Moyne Road, wasbuilt circa 1894.The renovation: The refurbishmentand remodelling of the existingground floor living spaceincorporating a new atrium-typeextension containing the kitchen,along with a first floor extension andremodelling of the existing return toaccommodate an additional bedroom.Architect: Alan O` Connell, OCArchitects & Design, a practiceaccredited in conservation at grade III.Budget: €102,500Actual cost: €102,300Timeframe: Ten weeks.



We worked in close contact with the owners toestablish a design that we were all happy with and thatwas strongly influenced by their ideas but givendirection by us as architects.”

CONTRACTORSFollowing a straightforward planning application andtender process, the architects appointed the maincontractor, McMahon Construction, who had come inwith the lowest tender price. Alan had worked withMichael McMahon on several projects and wasimpressed by his skill, initiative, attention to detail andproblem-solving ability.

Any obstacles that arose during the project weretackled quickly. “As project architect, I was on-sitewhenever necessary to address any issues with thecontractor and the clients so that the project couldmove along without delay. I was in constantcommunication with the clients and the contractor andhis subcontractors throughout the build and this helpedgreatly in delivering the project on time and onbudget,” Alan recalls. “Every party understood theirresponsibilities and role in the project and what wasneeded to keep things moving. The clients’ role was keyas they were always at the end of the phone,understood when decisions needed to be made and puttheir trust in us and the contractor which allowed usmake minor design decisions without delay.”

HIDDEN FEATURESDuring the early stages of the build as opening upworks were taking place, several previously hiddenoriginal features of the house became apparent. “Partof Council policy relating to protected buildingsstipulates that it is of the utmost importance to protectand preserve original features in situ,” says Alan. “Asthey became evident, I worked closely with the maincontractor to ensure that this policy was adhered to andthat the integrity of the features was maintained.”

It also became clear at this opening up phase that thewalls of the original return were very poorly constructedand hadn’t been tied back into the main building togive it sound structural stability. Due to the heavyconstruction work and opening up work, there was areal danger of the return detaching itself from the mainbuilding, which would have serious structuralimplications for both the return and the main house.“On discovering this, we organised an emergency sitemeeting with the construction team and the designteam to assess the situation. Both teams worked hard tocome to a simple but very effective solution which hadminimal impact on cost and on the building,” Alanrecalls. “Steel ties were anchored in place to thestructural walls of the main house and tied back intothe structural walls of the return at various points. Thisallowed the whole building to work soundly, from astructural perspective, as the one unit.”

cramped and badly in need of revitalisation,” says Alan. “The existingextension and return were poorly laid out and no longer functional asliving spaces. The rooms were cramped and floor-to-ceiling heightswere very low. The interaction between the main house and thereturn was poor, which meant that the clients were not using thehouse to its full potential.”

BRIEFTheir brief was simple. They wanted an open plan light-filled livingarea that would integrate better with the existing house, as well asan extra bedroom at first floor level. “We set about this workingthrough a number of options with the use of 3D models, ensuringthat the final design would fully realise the potential of the house,”Alan recalls. “The concept and design were guided by creating aspace suitable for the clients’ lifestyles, integrating the rooms and theinside and outside spaces and availing of light throughout the day.


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EXTENSIONThe completed extension and remodelling on theground floor created a high quality open plan livingspace that the inhabitants enjoy everyday. Anatrium-style double height extension, whichcontains the kitchen space, was added to fill theliving areas with light throughout the day. Theworks helped revitalise the building, allowing thehouse to function as a home into the foreseeablefuture. As well as the new remodeled kitchen/livingarea, there’s a new utility area and WC; hallway;dining room; front sitting room; three bedroomsand an attic study.

The reconfiguration involved a redesign of theexisting rear external space creating a stronginteraction between the interior and exterior spacesand blurring the boundaries. “The extension at firstfloor level provides a much needed third bedroomto the house which is far more sustainable for thesize and quality of dwelling and its location, whileretaining a good size bathroom,” Alan says.

CONTEMPORARYThe new extensions and remodelling were treatedin a contemporary way, allowing both the originalbuilding and new extension to stand on their ownas of their time. “The contemporary design willstand on its own as a powerful element and thejuxtaposition of the old and new will enhance theexisting protected building,” says Alan.

Bangor Blue slate was used on the roof, with awhite render to the walls. “These simple but strongmaterials allow the extension to tie in with theoriginal house while allowing it to stand alone as acontemporary addition,” Alan adds.

Grey aluminium windows were incorporated inthe new build with a folding door system on therear wall overlooking the garden. These helpedstrengthen the contrast between the old and new,enhancing both the original house and the newcontemporary extension. Hardwood teak timbercladding was used externally to soften theelevation and add some contrast. This hardwoodfeatures internally in the shelving feature piece tothe living area, creating a unity of designthroughout the build.

The delighted owners are revelling in what theysee as a whole new home, attractive to go into anda comfortable environment in which to work andrelax. “Our ground floor has been transformed intoa flowing harmonious space, running from theopened-up reception rooms, through a light-filleddouble-height kitchen and into a new living-roomwith glass folding doors,” they enthuse. “ Thenewly landscaped garden enhances and hasbecome a part of this design.”

USEFUL CONTACTS Architect: OC Architects & Design, No.67A Ranelaghvillage, Dublin 6. Tel: 01 4913919 and 086 3647614.Kerry office: Anglore, Castleisland,www.ocarchitects.ieMain Contractor: McMahon Construction, No. 9Roosevelt Cottages, Navan Road, Dublin 7.Tel: 018686600, 087 1238790 [email protected] Engineer: Ciaran O`BrienOBA Consulting Engineers,The School Yard,1 Grantham Street, Dublin 8. Tel: 086-0214737Joinery: McMahon Construction, No. 9 RooseveltCottages, Navan Road, Dublin 7. Tel: 01 8686600,087 [email protected] and roof glazing supplier: The FoldingDoor Company of Ireland, Grants Drive, GreenogueBusiness Park, Rathcoole Co Dublin. Tel 01: 4018282,[email protected] Supplier: Nolan Kitchens LimitedHawthorn House, Oak Road, Western IndustrialEstate,Naas Road, Dublin 12, Tel: 01 456 [email protected] www.nolankitchens.comTimber flooring supplier: Irwin’s Tiles, Lakeview,Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. Tel: 042 9740278,[email protected] www.irwintiles.ieTiling supplier: TileStyle, Ballymount Retail Centre,Ballymount Road Upper, Dublin 24.Tel: 01 855 [email protected] www.tilestyle.ieLighting: Hicken Lighting 17 Lwr. Bridge Street,Dublin 8. Free Phone 1800 777 077, Tel: 01 [email protected] Paving: Double L Unit 6/7, OsberstownIndustrial Park, Naas, Co. Kildare. Tel: 045 [email protected] r


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