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Long House
Limerick

Completion Date: Autumn 2010

The site for this new sustainable private residence is located on the banks of the Mulcair River. The simple vernacular form of this private residence is intended to sit unobtrusively within the context of the existing ribbon housing development in the vicinity of Annacotty, Co. Limerick

Internally, the organisation reflects a more complex sequence of inhabited spaces of increasing scales than the simple form initially suggests; one enters the house through a small extruded concrete box, moving through the various spaces that increase in scale as one moves through the house. Within the largest and most public interior space, the living area, a raised games room ‘hangs’ above, representing another inhabited space of a private scale that engages with the public intentions of the living room yet maintains a discreet distance. The living area has wide views across the large garden, the largest space that is inhabited by the house, towards the river. A subtle view past the hearth towards the driveway and the road reminds the viewer of the route they have taken through these inhabited spaces, and connects them to the position they inhabit at the moment.

A number of factors influenced the design heavily, such as future proofing the house against possible rising water levels and increased frequency of flooding in the area near the Mulcair River by integrating the house with a protective “plinth”, and sustainable materials. The materials to be used are natural slate roof over a rendered natural-toned concrete external envelope and we are aiming our materials and details towards achieving an A3 Building Energy Rating.

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Donoghue Corbett Architects