Engineering
Client: Private Individuals
Location: Longford
Procurement: Traditional (Design – Bid – Build)
It was the intention of the client to construct a 2 storey 4-bedroom dwelling house with an open plan living space inclusive of large back kitchen/pantry and separate sitting room, playroom for the children, an office space/small ground floor bedroom and an east facing patio space. The client wanted to explore the idea of using corrugated iron cladding to create an agricultural barn aesthetic to the exterior in keeping with the language of Irish vernacular farm buildings.
267
Area (ms)
358
Budget (thousand)
16
Duration (months)
Light Touch for a Long House
I wanted to echo the old-style footprint of Irish vernacular barns, which was the start point of creating a long narrow 1.5 room deep house. I wanted to consider the potential of the north side being closed down to provide privacy and increase the energy efficiency of the dwelling house. With an east facing patio space I wanted to create a covered area which would still allow low level morning sun to penetrate into the building. The brief would incorporate minimal glazing to the north side and large glazing to the south to encourage solar gain. The introduction of a void space would help cool the house in summer. The design allowed for south light to penetrate the building and to illuminate the north side internal circulation space of the dwelling house. The clients were happy for me to take the lead on the complete design of the proposed dwelling house.
Plans & Drawings
On the first draft of the sketch design stage layout the clients were almost completely satisfied with the proposed design. I made a few minor alterations and the clients were happy to push the design to planning stage. Due to the unique aesthetic of the dwelling, I felt it best to consult the council on the design through a pre-planning meeting to iron out any potential issues or conflicts that may be raised by the planning department. Planning permission was granted and I was employed by the client to produce tender drawings and procure a contractor to construct the dwelling house.
The initial quotation for the development was higher than the clients were willing to spend and we had to figure out how we could reduce construction costs in line with the client’s budget. We decided that the best option would be to remove the stone work on ground floor level. This would in turn allow for a simplified fixing method of the corrugated metal cladding. The structure surrounding the rear patio was also removed. We liaised with Longford County Council post planning on the visual alteration to the exterior and the changes were approved by the planning department.
After breaking ground, it was the decision of the engineer and contractor that the site ground conditions would lend themselves more to a raft foundation as apposed to a traditional strip foundation. I drafted the new raft foundations, approved by the engineer and small additional cost approved by the client. The initial design called for an entrance lobby which could be left open most of the time as a porch to store wellies etc. and closed down when needed to control weather conditions. During the build as the blockwork was completed, I suggested that this space might by better utilised as an indoor storage space for coats and boots. The clients took the design option on board and decided to go with this idea. I feel that this space works very well in reality and the clients assure me that the space it one of the most utilised spaces in the house. It is evident from the picture how well this space turned out.
I was involved in the process from initial concept to completion. I designed the house, submitted the planning application, drafted the tender drawings, procurement, stage payment certification through our engineer, and project managed the build to completion. The process taught me that design shouldn’t be rigid and through real life onsite discourse the design can be bettered by understanding what is in front of you; presenting a better solution.
