This project is situated in the suburbs of Dublin, where most residential buildings are two stories tall and feature unusually large, deep backyard gardens. The design offers a horizontal densification solution by introducing a “back-to-back” architectural typology. It highlights how land subdivision has resulted in a significant amount of underutilized land nationwide. The homeowner now has the opportunity to build a house in the backyard, which was once the site of a childhood treehouse.
The site’s awkward triangular shape resulted in a pure triangular floor plan. The house is surrounded by three gardens, with its corners extending to the site’s edges, which are clipped to form three colonnades. This arrangement creates distinct spaces, clearly defining the boundaries between the gardens and enclosing the main structure. The house is slightly sunken into the ground, and its sloping roof minimizes shadows over the gardens. Window placement is carefully planned to avoid overlooking while framing views of the sky, trees, wood, and sunlight.
▲ Axonometric diagram
The residence incorporates traditional BIM elements typical of suburban homes: a blue-gray asphalt roof, painted exterior walls, attic rooms, skylight windows, French floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and sliding doors. These features help integrate the design seamlessly into the local environment. Structurally, the house is built with reinforced concrete walls, left exposed inside and insulated and painted outside. The interior rooms are organized around a central triangular staircase.
Part of the interior space is sunken, starting with a moderate ceiling height at the entrance that gradually increases inward, reaching its lowest points in the room’s corners. These corners feature two-story spaces illuminated by skylights, allowing natural light to flood in and clearly define the room’s dimensions and edges. This design provides panoramic views of the corner rooms on the first floor. The architecture creates a series of compact, lively, and interconnected spaces that foster family interaction while also offering private areas for individuals.
Design Drawings:
▲ Plan view
▲ Plan view
▲ Plan view
▲ Plan view
▲ Sectional view
▲ Sectional view
Project Information:
Architectural Firm: Urban Agency
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Category: Independent Residential Buildings
Building Area: 180.0 m²
Year Completed: 2018
Photographer: Paul Tierney Photography
Manufacturers: Adobe, Kingspan, Velux Rooflights, Rhinoceros, Autodesk, Reynaers Aluminium
Engineering: Brunner Engineering
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up