This zero carbon home in Co Antrim benefited from a government grant and a big investment in insulation and airtightness. In this article we cover: House size: 165sqm/ 1,850sqftPlot size: 630sqm / 6,800sqftBuild cost: approx. £90/sqft including high specification envelope, finishes, demolition of existing building and external landscaping/plantingConstruction: timber frameEPC rating before installation of PV panels: A (93) At […] More
John and Susan Black of Co Antrim had a narrow and sloping site, yet they still managed to build their dream home. In this article we cover: Being granted planning permission is, in most cases, a cause to celebrate. However for John and Susan it was a bit of an anti-climax as they soon realised […] More
What looks like a simple modernist cube is actually a carefully crafted split level two storey house with five levels. In this article we cover: A contemporary home is what Julie and Robert Sturgeon of Co Galway always dreamed of, something that was individual and unique, suited to their lifestyle. “There was an old bungalow on the […] More
This Co Antrim project shows how a sympathetic modern extension can enhance the appearance of a vernacular thatched home. In this article we cover: Overview Site size: 1 hectareOriginal house size: 160 sqm /Extension size: 52 sqmConstruction method: timber frame SAP rating (EPC): 52 (E) Conservation architects will tell you the best way to preserve an historic building is […] More
Back in 2010, Justin O’Keeffe of Co Wicklow was determined to break even and build his own passive house for the same price it would have cost him to comply with the building regulations standards of the time. In this article we cover: Overview Site size: 0.34 acre House size: 350 sqm Windows: triple glazed, aluclad, argon filled, PHI certified BER: A2 […] More
Ian Walsh’s renovation project in Co Carlow illustrates the benefits of having a vision, and sticking to it. When Ian bought a run-down property in the midlands, all he could think of was its potential. “I wanted to do something for myself and this seemed like the perfect opportunity,” he says. Ian had learned how […] More
This Co Armagh split level family home is a modern take on the traditional farmhouse, and has everything Suzie and Paul Johnston wanted in a house. In this article we cover: This modern take on a traditional farmhouse is, for Suzie and Paul Johnston, everything they wanted in a house, but it was Suzie’s involvement […] More
Being close to your family is one thing, it’s quite another to let them build your house! David and Mary McDonagh of Co. Mayo did just that, and they haven’t looked back since… [powerkit_collapsibles] [powerkit_collapsible title=”BUILD SPEC” opened=”true”] Construction type: blockwork Insulation: PIR board in floors, walls and green roof, fibreglass in the other two […] More
House hunting is fun, but it soon begins to lose its glamour after you’ve been doing it for two years and are eager to set down roots and buy your first home! After this long wait, the option that was presented to Niamh Donnelly and her boyfriend Michael Kiernan was arguably the next best thing […] More
What can you do with a 20-year-old conservatory, a previous kitchen extension and a fair dose of imagination? For Michael and Rita Mooney of South Belfast the answer consisted of doubling the roof height with a cathedral ceiling and installing the very latest in home building technology. [powerkit_collapsibles] [powerkit_collapsible title=”BUILD SPEC” opened=”true”] Build type: masonry, […] More
When Nick and Kate O’Neill bought an Irish fisherman’s cottage on the Co Wicklow seaside, they knew they had to take their time finding the right design team to turn it into a home they could retire to. The first architect Nick and Kate consulted suggested they retain the traditional two-room layout, and, whilst they […] More
John and Alice Gresham bought an old train station to transform into a home. What they’d underestimated was the scale of the renovation project they took on. In this article we cover: Overview Site size: 1.75 acresHouse size: railway house approx. 300m2Build cost: approximately £100,000 With a background in the construction industry, John was familiar with renovation projects, […] More
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