PROJECT DETAILS

The existing property is a semi detached house in an established estate in Cabinteely. The client brief here was to examine the potential for reconfiguration of the existing ground level layout, with a view to providing a more open plan living / kitchen / dining area to accommodate their large family, and address the existing problems in the current design.

At present there is a front and rear room, used as a formal sitting room and playroom respectively. A set of double doors link through from the playroom to a conservatory room, which is also accessible via the kitchen, and currently acts as the family dining room. This presents a number of issues – the dining area currently struggles to accommodate the family at one sitting.  Secondly, the existing conservatory is problematic in terms of climate control; overheating in summer, and very cold during winter, which is a common problem with the traditional conservatory style of the late 1990's.

The layout of the front sitting room; narrowing to accommodate the utility room on the opposite side of the corridor, results in an awkward geometrical form with much redundant / unusable space. 

A number of proposals were sketched and reviewed with the clients, with a final preferred option of a reconfigured open plan living / kitchen / dining space, with a new functional utility / cloakroom area, and a reconfigured sitting room.  The open plan living / kitchen / dining area will become the main family space. 

Internally, this space will be filled with light, with much improved thermal efficiency.  New geometrical rooflight forms will allow shafts of light to penetrate deep into the plan, maintaining maximum daylight levels while also maximising thermal efficiency internally.  This area will open onto the rear garden space, providing an improved link, strengthening the relationship between the family and garden areas.

Ideas of enclosing the side passageway have also been explored, with potential for a semi-indoor storage area for sports gear, bicycles etc.