Additions to an Edwardian House

Location : Rathgar, Dublin
Status : Completed November 2007

Selected for Exhibition
RIAI Awards May 2008
category 'Best House Extension'

The additions included a single storey extension to the rear and an attic mezzanine over the main stairwell. The challenge was to create a new garden room which linked back to the main house and connected directly with the garden without blocking light or views. We introduced an elevated courtyard which allowed light into the original dining room and also direct access from the new kitchen. The garden room is recessed to reduce impact when viewed from the original house. Two way sliding doors allow access to the west facing garden. A storage wall which begins under the main stairwell in the form of a WC/cloakroom, extends into the kitchen concealing M&E, laundry facilities and terminates as a study niche in the garden room. Converting the attic was an initial concern given the restricted head height so a mezzanine structure open to the stairwell was designed in lieu of a separate room. Rather than extend the original stairwell ‘up’ to the attic in a pastiche fashion, we designed a new stainless steel and American white oak stairs which folded ‘down’. The attic was lined with birch veneered plywood panelling which concealed hatch doors and lighting.