This extension project is located in Co. Cork, Ireland.
The extension seeks to modify and correct a problematic suburban type house without merit, that has been dropped on a rural green field site without any real consideration of its context. The project hopefully solves this problem by refurbishing the ground floor of the house and extending it in length to create a series of enfilade rooms and sheltered outdoor spaces.
The building is intended to be utilitarian: usable, and in keeping with its agrarian context. The plain rendered walls of the building are designed to extend out into the site to create an external sheltered patio and a garden shed beyond, so that the site is divided by an L shaped configuration. The external elevation of this is given to the road as a long elevation much like a traditional Irish farmyard. The 'inside' of the L is offered to the southwest and the more favorable aspect and view over the surrounding farmland. The 'nooks' formed by allowing the walls to extend beyond their corners are intended for planting, or perhaps stacking timber or leaning some tools.
The extension is constructed in concrete block with exposed rough concrete beams onto which a larch roof structure is tied. A continuous roof light runs the length of the extension roof, which is finished in blue colored zinc. A robust concrete fireplace shares a a stove between the old and the new house, some surfaces have been polished, some left as formed.
The roof is deliberately odd. I had wanted for a while to build this 'kettle-like' section, where the internal spaces are top lit by a hidden roof light. Internally the dividing wall between the kitchen and more utilitarian spaces is stopped below the concrete beam, with the intention being that the full extent of the roof be visible along its length, and the traditional autonomy of individual rooms somewhat obscured, without fully defaulting to an open plan.
Unadorned construction materials such as OSB and MDF boards, bright yellow Formica and cork flooring tiles are used extensively to line or furnish the interior spaces. In contrast to these common materials, the floors and walls of wet areas are finished in a black fossilized Irish limestone.
