ARCHITECTURE
We offer a professional service across all aspects of building design & project management.
EXPERIENCE
We bring over 25 years experience across a wide range of building types to bear on every new Brief and we offer personal service at a senior level to every Client, for projects large or small.
We value the relationships we have built up over long periods with many of our Clients and we help them to realise their objectives by delivering imaginative, site specific and cost effective design solutions.
FORWARD-LOOKING
Through a strong commitment to the Continuing Professional Development of our staff, we also bring up to date knowledge of the latest advances in materials and technology to our work to produce efficient and carefully thought out designs for buildings which will be sustainable and viable into the future.
In addition to engaging in general practice, each of our senior architects pursues a specialism and where appropriate, planning, conservation or fire engineering expertise can be integrated into the design process from the outset of the project.
ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS
Pub restaurant Castledermot Co. Kildare
A rebuild of the once famous Shamrock Bar, this was a protected structure which was devastated by a fire in the early 2000`s and had remained empty had to have half the walls restabilisised. Some conservation grants were received from the local authorities for the stabilations of the roof and the owners retained our services for the redesign of the building and retain its characteristics. Both premises were protected structures and therefore our advice was sought to address this redesign. The initial design tried to reuse the existing toilet block which was the last untouched by the fact the decision to demolish this and insert a new structure filling in the open site reinstating some new street frontage and allowing for an enlarged courtyard to the rear.
Busarus Conservation Consultancy
A Conservation Consultancy to Dermot Bannon Architects (DBA) for the fit-out of Busarus for offices and admin , towards a planning application. This is a modernist building of International significance which in recent years has had much of its operation space abandoned. Due to the significance of the building it requires the services of a Grade One Conservation Architect. This involved a detailed planning research of the irish archives and detailed studies of the existing building. This work is still ongoing and presently includes the examination of the Eblana. Work is ongoing to lodge a planning application.
Ext-Boran Packaging design and planning application protected structure
McAuley Place nuns kichen garden studio and community workshop
As Conservation Architect over many years to the Nas ná Ríogh Housing Association, I became involved with this development on a complex urban site. Situated in the centre of Naas in the historic religious complex. The Nas ná Ríogh Housing Association had previously developed the Mercy nuns Convent a historic structure which was extended to accommodate 52 separate housing units and were looking to redevelop for a recreation area, community workshop exhibition area and artists retreat in an old Mercy nun`s refectory which was a the time in use as a craft workshop. This buiding adjoining the old kitchen garden and which surrounded a Mercy nun`s graveyard and a historic mill stream .Its location beside an entrance to a national school, parish car park and Catholic Church as well as the housing association itself meant that health and safety issues were to the fore. A full planning permission was granted following the submission of a conservation report for this complex site followed up by an application for tender to a promised opportunity for leader capital funding. The site itself is an oasis of wilderness since redeveloped as a sensory garden and outdoor area for the McAuley Place residents but stunningly beautiful adjoining an old mill stream. The original 1860s building, a nun`s refectory and sleeping dormitory had been built on top of a mill pond and some structural issues had to be dealt with due to some settlement . The opportunity for the leader grant funding was withdrawn at the height of the economic recession in 2013 , following this a number of heritage and leader grants were sought for this building, some of which were executed and others abandoned. The building was eventually phased and some of the garden work commenced in tandem with the first phase of the conservation works to the original structure followed on by a services installation enabling works to the building. There is a hiatus on the original design and the work at present is paused in a shell and core of one of the community rooms while awaiting the completion of the rest of the building.
Commercial pub Tullow
Commercial creche Eadestown Co. Kildare
Extension to mud house thomastown
Extension to mud house thomastown
Pub restaurant Castledermot
A rebuild of the once famous Shamrock Bar, this was a protected structure which was devastated by a fire in the early 2000`s and had remained empty had to have half the walls restabilisised. Some conservation grants were received from the local authorities for the stabilations of the roof and the owners retained our services for the redesign of the building and retain its characteristics. Both premises were protected structures and therefore our advice was sought to address this redesign. The initial design tried to reuse the existing toilet block which was the last untouched by the fact the decision to demolish this and insert a new structure filling in the open site reinstating some new street frontage and allowing for an enlarged courtyard to the rear.
Courtyard Maynooth
Main Street Maynooth
Attic Conversion Monkstown
Undertaken to the top of a protected structure a semi detached house in Eaton square the additional stairs required the fire rating of all the existing panelled doors in the house. The room was giving structural floor and a new stairs installed to access it with a large conservation style rooflight and repairs to the chimney underaken.
Extension in Rathcoole
Extension and refurbushment of mud house Kildare
Barrel shaped copper extension to replace Victorian add-on, to original mud cottage. This effectively doubled the size of the house to give 250sqm. While keeping the character of the existing . Timber lined internal ceilings
Extension house Sallins 2 2nd Phase By Rad Bypass
Extension to a large house previously completed by the office ion 2007 . The house was originally on a large green fields site between in some proximity between the railway line and the motorway . This originally was a redesign of a granted application to remove issues with lack of light and inappropriate room locations. The house was successfully completed and landscaped with a large earth berm to create areas of planting for privacy and noise attenuation. In more recent times the client was told that the route of the new Sallins by-pass was going to pass within metres of their boundary, and so had considered moving away. the design solution was to construct a structure to block the bypass and the view from a nearby elevated road bridge which would intrude on the privacy. The design incorporated and extension to the existing kitchen and conversion of the existing double garage to a granny flat for the client parents. the rear of the main structure was to include an entertainment area for the family of boys . 3d sketch proposals were produced and videos to indicate height of ground levels and planting necessary to ensure privacy. he project which included the moving of the existing entrance and driveway and modification of the existing landscaping
Extension to Mud and Thatched House Thomastown co. Kildare
Farmhouse Conversion Kilcullen
The conversion of my own house is described in great detail in the Publication of the re-using farm building (2007) a that stage the seconf phase of converting the Barn for the office studio was no complete. The photos here indicate the complexities of some of the work to a building which has inhabited the site over a period of 250 years.
Gatelodge In Robertstown
Conservation of existing farm complex carried out to convert a single room gate lodge along with two- storey mud outbuilding for a retiring couple. The main farmhouse was also a protected structure, and was to be incorporated in a farm transfer between generations. On a particular bad bend for road access, a successful planning
Liffey Cottage Planning Application
Successful planning achieved for an existing protected structure for reinhabiting of existing fachouse ( abandoned 20- 25 years )and conversion of its outbuildings into a family house with a subsequent reapplication to add on a further dwelling for aging parents also granted. the schemes show in the 3ds are possible designs for both applications.
New House Ballyconnelly
New House Coolahooka, Kilteel
The building had al ready beam designed by another architectural firm who did not wish to undertake the BCAR certification of this Design, so it was detailed for tender and brought to site by this firm. A completion certificate was issued by the building control authority. There was extensive detailing of the surrounds to the landscape and surrounding the house to deal with he the difficulty of construction heights. A number of material changes were proposed such as a concrete polished floor and internal screens and stairs where modified as requested by the client. The house is now occupied a number of years and settled well into the landscape.
New House New Town Maccabe
Successful planning achieved for an existing protected structure for reinhabiting of existing fachouse ( abandoned 20- 25 years )and conversion of its outbuildings into a family house with a subsequent reapplication to add on a further dwelling for aging parents also granted. the schemes show in the 3ds are possible designs for both applications.
New House Sallins 1
Refurbishment Of Forge
Pollreveagh, Connemara
Leixlip boathouse
Client Desmond & Penelope Guinness
Conservation repair works to the Boathouse on the confluence of the River Liffey and Rye , in the grounds of Leixlip Castle. The works arose following the preparation of a conservation management plan funded by Leixlip Tidy towns and Kildare County Council`s Parks Department to see whether some future could be mapped out for its use due to the visibility and its iconic nature in relation to Desmond Guinness and the formation of the Irish Georgian Society. The client Penelope Guinness was anxious to insure a tribute to Sir Desmond Guinness while he was still alive ,though at the time in poor health. Kildare County Council and the Georgian Society provided grants to initiate the works which in turn helped to highlight a finding stream through the Irish- American Georgian society and the Bryan Guinness foundation. This funding allowed a lot of essential structural work to be completed. This works included the repair of the roof covering the removal of large trees to the base structure and the repair and stitching of the brick vaulted roof along with reform of the brickwork quoins and reveals. Following the recent death of Desmond Guinness his wife proposed the Boathouse as a very suitable memorial to his memory and or / reliquary for some of his ashes and these works are currently underway summer 2021, A memorial plaque is to be erected with the repair of the old fireplace and flue and the reinsertion of a limestone surround. The flooring and steps to the base of the upper storey have already been conserved. The client decided against any full restoration of the windows and doors to the building, though designs were researched and priced preferring the building to remain in communion with the sights and sounds of its riverine surrounds and as a place of contemplation for her husband.
Emergency work herbert lodge
Monastervin Charter School
Presbytrian church grantworks
Clarahill Clonaslee
A historic farm house originally a larger complex with a beautiful setting of historic outbuildings. This building was in serious need of external repairs, and the private client applied and received the maximum of structural funds for the repair of the external envelope. The existing roof was reslated and barges, gutters and drainage points were dealt with as well as the addition of insulation and good attic access were installed. The external walls were rendered and chimneys and dormer flashing and roof lights were repaired including damaged roof timbers adjoining a redundant Victorian water tank. internally the walls to a rear corridor were redone with an thermal plaster and earlier tanking removed. The windows were all conserved by a window refurbishment and replaced where necessary.
Prices Medical Hall
This shopfront is to undergo a structural revision involving an additional supporting pillar , this will involve the removal of the shop front signage and cast iron filigreed and its careful reinstatement with as much of the authentic fabric as possible. Some laser scanning is to occur to ensure there is no further movement to the front façade during the works and materials testing and research is to be carried out for elements of historic wallpaper discovered internally and paint analysis on the shopfront sign. The work is due to commence in July 2021 and there are training outreach opportunities available for conservation interested parties.
Entrance Wilton Place
This building was initially a commercial building with a large return .The clients both in the entertainment industry wanted to upgrade the entrance and put together a conservation plan to determine the repair approach. The repair of the front entrance steps and the doorway surround was applied for as a grant . This involved a specialist heritage contractor and the works were kept to restore the surround which had elements of the sand stone detail missing. The specialist contractor was Shane Nolan of Nolan contractors which worked on the cleaning and matching of the stand stone a methodology for this was agreed with the conservation officer as the details of the repair and the suitability of the cleaning technique were important so as not to ensure damage to the surround. Consideration and quotes were given to repairing the lead fanlight however this work was not proceeded with. The works to the frost damaged cast-iron balustrades were undertaken and reports on the repair were provided to the conservation officer.
Specialist reports
For many years the firm has worked closely with other architects, Local authorities and private clients providing specialist reports and specification on dealing with Purchasers/ feasibility reports for international clients and nationally particularly in the area of Conservation work. The photographs shown here reflect the range of work undertaken.
