Castle Avenue
This project seeks to provide a compact contemporary mews house for a couple who are looking to downsize into a functional and energy efficient home. The new house is situated in their original long back garden, down a quiet cul-de-sac serving 6 other dwellings. It relates to its suburban context in scale, form and material but is contemporary in detail. Materials are kept simple with contrasting white sand cement & wet dash renders, to provide variance across the façade, and dark roof tiles to blend into existing roofs in the vicinity. The stairs has a continuous curved stained oak handrail which leads to the landing and office space which is flooded with light from a large rooflight above. Light is drawn down into the ground floor living space through a void to create a sense of openness and generosity within the compact plan.
Large windows maximise light in the two bedrooms and bathroom, with bespoke metal fins fitted to the external window reveals to provide privacy where necessary. The kitchen and living area are separated by double sliding pocket doors, allowing the room to be opened up when desired, creating a direct connection from kitchen, to living area, to west-facing back garden through the large sliding door. This house is an example of contemporary suburban infill housing and shows how we can densify our suburbs without compromising on design quality or on the existing context.
- Irish Architecture Foundation-Open House Dublin 2023
