PROJECT DETAILS

Blackrock-I is located in a highly residential area of Blackrock, Co. Dublin and appears to be constructed in the late 1980's / early 1990's. The current property is an end of terrace two storey dwelling with three bedrooms and measures approximately 78 sq.m internally; no modifications have been made to the property since its initial construction.

 

The property is extremely small for a three bedroom dwelling and suffers significantly from this with poor usage of space in the initial design. All room sizes are small in nature with extremely limited storage potential. The current owners now propose to extend the property in order to accommodate their growing family requirements. Two no. extensions are proposed – a two-storey extension to the side elevation, single storey sunroom extension to the rear with glazed link connecting to the main building. It is also proposed to convert the existing attic, and insert a dormer window to the rear. Alterations are also proposed to the existing front fenestration, extending the existing bay windows to the front of the building in order to ensure the proposal is in keeping with its surrounding environment.

 

D E T A I L E D    P R O P O S A L S

At ground floor level, it is proposed to create a pop-out single storey extension into the rear, north-facing garden. The pop-out is designed to form a sunroom area, maximizing evening light into a space which currently, due to its northerly axis, achieves minimal natural light levels penetrating into the space. By focusing the proposed pop-out extension towards the westerly axis, two new courtyard spaces will be formed, maximizing available sunlight and creating new and vibrant private open spaces.

 

The pop-out extension is designed to utilise the existing level change on site, and will step down within the garden so that the second courtyard level is at the lower level of the garden again creating an exciting inside outside courtyard space, accessed from the new sunken living space & integrating the indoor/outdoor relationship between the house and the garden.

 

 

To improve the use of the existing floorplan throughout, and also to incorporate an attic extension which functions and also integrates sensitively with a first floor level plan, an extension is proposed at ground and first floor level to the western side of the property by approximately one metre. This retains a side entrance to the rear garden for servicing and maintenance of the new reconstructed gable wall.

 

In addition to this extension, the bay window to the front of the property is proposed to be altered and extended in order to harmonize with the existing area and subsequently maximize the internal rooms and storage opportunities. With the proposed side extension, the existing A-framed roof gable end will be extended, matching the ridge line, eaves and soffit dimensions of the existing and harmonizing with the existing environment and terrace.

 

The proposed dormer extension to the rear is designed to minimize impact on the existing property and its surroundings. It is proposed to over clad the dormer in a material to match the colour tone of the existing roof tiles which are a brown / orange clay tile in order to minimize any potential visual impact.

The attic room is proposed to be used as an extended living space for the family, acting as a play room for children as the family grows and also as an exercise and yoga spaces for the adults.

 

Given the lack of space in the existing property, the conversion of the attic space and subsequent dormer areas are integral to the functionality of the home, relocating uses from already struggling primary spaces in the property to the attic space.

 

The proposed alterations contribute greatly to the improved rationalisation of the internal plan layout, and creates a much more user friendly family home.

 

This project completed in early 2017 - completed photographs to follow shortly!