The house has been arranged in a vernacular clustered building form which reduces the overall scale of the house by the creation of a number of small elements. The clustered form of the new house identifies circulation and creates protected spaces between the different elements of the building providing protection from the prevailing winds and the northerly winds of the inclement Irish weather. To further counteract prevailing winds, to the south-west of the site, is the creation of a wind break with both the planting of native tree species, the reinforcement of existing hedgerow and also the creation of a planted berm to help form shelter from the prevailing winds.
The building forms are informed and defined by the orientation of the site. The utility block is placed to the most north-easterly part of the site, as this is a non-habitable space and requires the minimum of heating and solar gain. The long house follows on this principle with glazing kept to a minimum on the north-east & north elevation to minimise heat loss through this cold elevation. As the building turns to face from south-east to the west, the elevation begins to open to allow for the maximum utilisation of natural light and solar heat gains and follows the daily passage of the sun and also allows the occupants of the house to enjoy the surrounding views.
The material pallet which has been selected for the new house consist of materials which are the vernacular materials for this area including: nap/lime plaster render finish; the use of natural slates to roof surfaces; the use of sandstone walls to the garden walls of the house; and the use of timber to the joinery elements of the house, which would have been used typically on these old farmhouses.
The sustainability approach to the house can best be described as minimal impact. The buildings are small forms which can be built using either renewable or traditional local building methods. The building orientation allows for minimal heat loss through the building and also maximise passive solar gain. This is further enhanced by the use of high levels of thermal insulation, well in excess of the current building regulations, to minimise the heating requirements of the building and by the use of high performance glazing and door systems throughout. The heating requirements of the building are provided by use of a ground source heat pump.
The clustered form of the new house creates protected spaces between the different elements of the building and provides protection from the prevailing winds and the northerly winds of the inclement Irish weather.
The sustainability approach to the house can best be described as minimal impact. The buildings are small forms which can be built using either renewable or traditional local building methods. The building orientation allows for minimal heat loss through the building and also maximise passive solar gain.
