Eco Townhouses

Location : Monkstown, Dublin
In association with Catriona Cantwell
Status : Completed Dec 2008

Featured on RTEs About the house program Dec 2007

A cottage was demolished to allow for two new two-storey 3 bedroomed townhouses. The footprint of the new form was halved and ‘slipped’ so the houses followed the stepped building line which already existed. House no.1, which followed the original ‘forward’ building line, accommodated the required off-street car parking in an integrated garage. House no.2, which was positioned further back to pick up the more recent ‘set back’ building line accommodated car-parking in the front court. The result of this stepped footprint allowed a sense of separation at both the entrance area and the rear gardens. The WC/cloaks and utility spaces are accommodated at entrance level and the kitchens overlook the open plan living/dining rooms. The brick form was carved on all sides to allow natural daylight deep into the plan via roof lights whist also creating the necessary setbacks to suit the adjoining context. Clerestory windows and roof lights were used to maximise light as the aspect was north facing. The spine wall which divides the dwellings accommodates ducts to bathrooms, kitchens, utilities and chimneys. The houses are built to passive house standard with poroton block walls, insulated foundations, underfloor heating, triple glazed windows and heat recovery systems.