ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Folding Farm House in Dublin Mountains, Ireland by Box Urban Design ArchitectureMarch 16th, 2016 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Box Urban Design Architecture This replacement dwelling is set into a north facing hill side with panoramic views of Dublin city. The site is bounded on the south by a wooded landscape. The house is constructed using a prefabricated timber-framepanel systemincorporating full-height glazing affording views to the north, while light penetration from the south is manipulated through roof lights and strategic openings.  external elevation (east) – looking towards the kitchen balcony and upper terrace, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney
 external elevation (north & west) – looking towards the lower courtyard, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney The building plays between sunken spaces and framed views to the landscape. The typical spatial hierarchy is inverted;providing sleeping accommodation on the lower levelwhile living spaces occupy the upper floor. The lower floor is arranged around a stone terrace to the North and a sunken area to the south, cut into the hillside, which allowssouth light to enter the space and informs the upper level entrance.The front door is approached under a cantilevered overhang and the sunken courtyard is passed, providing a view to below, before entering the building. The form is articulated by a folding plane orientated about a north south axis, which responds to the topography of the site to morph between; floor, terrace, wall and roof plates at all levels.  view from upper garden level – looking towards Dublin Bay across the upper terrace, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  living area – built-in shelving wall & full-height glazed views to the forest, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney The lower floor is segregated into separate bedroom and bathroom cells giving views across the hillside to Dublin Bay. The longer axis runs from North to South in to the hillside. To the north a glazed corridor, provides views to the East, ordered by the rhythm of the timber frame structure. This corridor shields and provides access to the bedrooms and bathroom cells. To the south a playroom and studio space are located with a concealed staircase to the rear which provides access to the hillside at the upper level of the driveway.The short axis runs across the hill to the West and has full-height North-facing glazed doors which open directly on to the stone terrace.  dining area – full-height glazed doors open on to the external dining terrace, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  light void – full-height sliding doors allow adaption and disappear when not in use, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney The upper floor is a L-shaped in plan to provide an upper terrace which further accentuates the views to the North from the living and dining space and provides an expansive outdoor social space. An additional smaller outdoor terrace is provided off the kitchen by a balcony which protrudes to the east. The configuration of the upper floor identifies the main living area as a complete open space which can be adapted by sliding screens to divide the living and dining areasand pivot doors which fold away to reveal the playroom. This allows the house to function and adapt as required by occupancy. The sliding screens are stored in a central core element which contains the central internal staircase and a fireplace. The more serviceable spaces, of utility, and bathrooms are discreetly positioned and concealed within the space and timber shelving walls are detailed to provide functional storage while informing the spatial arrangement.  secret staircase – circulation space naturally lit by sunken external courtyard, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  double-height void – roof-light & high level window draw natural light into the building, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney Two storey voids make a physical connection between spaces at both levels andnatural light is brought deep into the building through the careful positioning of high level windows at double height spaces and large rooflights over stairwells. Smaller windows are used in more intimate spaces to create framed views of the landscape beyond.  bedroom corridor – circulation space ordered by glazing between the timber structure, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  master bedroom – sliding picture window & glazed doors to the lower garden level, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney The timber frame structure is wrapped externally with a proprietary insulation and rendering system. High performance thermal and solar-reflecting glazing in timber frames slide open to make a direct connection between the internal and external spaces. A wood burning stove and boiler were installed and all internal spaces are provided with under floor heating. A heat exchange system is used to provide fresh air to the interior.  built-in furniture – double-height void with shelving wall and high-level window, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  entrance – the roof canopy leads to the front door, passed the sunken courtyard, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney The client had a strong desire to use timber frame construction to provide a spacious family home on an exposed but scenic hillside site. The design brief was to provide an environmentally sustainable building in a resilient built form informed by its context.The design intent was to provide a building of architectural quality informed by best practice in lifetime and sustainable design with a robust spatial hierarchy.  bathroom window – framed view of the hillside beyond, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  external elevation (east) – looking towards the bedrooms and kitchen balcony, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  external elevation (east) – viewed from the lower garden level looking, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  external elevation (north & west) – the upper living space illuminated at dusk, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  view from upper garden level – looking towards Dublin Bay at dusk, Image Courtesy © Paul Tierney  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture  Image Courtesy © Box Urban Design Architecture
Contact Box Urban Design Architecture
Tags: Dublin Mountains, Ireland Category: House |
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|||||
email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
