Good residential architecture is about success between the best interests of your client and agreeing with the local authority, the best use of an elevated village site with probably the best coastal views of the Copper Coast. This new home is a perfect example of a smooth planning process leading to the final creation of a beautiful building on a fabulous site.

The design in appearance is a simple small single storey pitched roof style with a recessed angled private courtyard to maximise the views of the local beach and hinterland on this elevated site, the house is set well back from the lower road and the more private upper access road.

There is a 45 degree splay angle of both wings in a butterfly plan form, which face two focal points in the village of the Geopark visitors centre, formally the Church and the promontory of Mount Airy at the other end of Bonmahon Bay. Both wings also line up with the neighbouring houses on both sides of the proposed house.

The level and positioning of the house is set out on site so to respect the existing sea views of both neighbouring houses. This is achieved by setting the house mid-level between them, respecting the apparent building line and doing a cut and fill approach to the house position on site. Existing views are also maintained on other neighbouring houses higher up the hill. This helps the house blend into its environment seamlessly.

Our design easily meets the needs of our client, the exact expectations of the area planner, respecting the power of nature and our beautiful environment. We created a watertight, durable and sustainable building that is both suitable for its exposed coastal location and is an understated contemporary design reminiscent of the great coastal houses of North America which influenced it in its Irish context..