Ben Bulben

Kinsale

The site for the proposed dwelling sits on the slope of a Compass Hill that falls down to meet the Kinsale harbour. The site is afforded spectacular views along the Bandon River estuary and out over Castlepark to Kinsale harbour. The proposals developed for the house works with the potential of this landscape. The overall approach is to provide a house to modern standards that meets the clients’ needs. The new house allows for the increase in the existing limited parking area by utilising a house with a compact footprint. Conceptually the house is seen as a series of horizontal planes within the sloped landscape, which form platforms for ‘living’. The existing terrace on which the existing house sits is retained and forms a platform for the ground floor. The ground floor is orientated on a north/south axis to minimise footprint. The ground floor plan is serrated as required to create southerly views over Kinsale harbour from the kitchen, dining and living areas. The first floor plan is rotated 90degrees to a east/west axis to afford all of the bedrooms a view over Kinsale harbour. The support spaces such as bathrooms, ensuites & stairs are grouped together on the northern façade.