A Dublin Mews
February 25, 2009
Getting the balance right on a private development is perhaps the hardest part of an architects work. It differs from a residential commission in the sense that the projects designed are for the market at large and must suit the market in the round. Too much of one thing and the project looks like every commercial residential development everywhere, not enough and the project loses value and can't be sold.
One practice getting the balance right are Dublins Design Strategies who have built a multi award winning practise on the basis of well designed residential projects that balance the small details with the larger picture. It is an architecture of response rather than imposition, as this recent project at Ardboyne Mews in Dublin demonstrates.
With a project brief to design a number of two-bedroom contemporary apartments within the grounds of the existing Ardoyne House, a twelve storey 1960s apartment building. The site for the apartment was located on the edge of the property which bounded a Mews Lane relating to the Victorian houses located on the nearby Clyde Road. DS placed particular emphasis on the quality of light and the quality of space that could be achieved within the apartments.
By replacing a number of existing garages on the site, the building design responded to the exact boundaries of the designated site area, and the physical constraints associated with general site circulation and site access. The scale of the buildings respects the scale of the surrounding residential housing rather than the scale of the 1960s tower. The materials and architectural expression were contemporary with the final effect neither dominating the surrounding victorian houses or taking away from the architectural style and detailing of the original tower.
The Mews were constructed with an insitu poured RC frame combined with concrete block, external and dividing walls and no stud partitions being used in any part of the construction. The building is finished externally in white Portugese limestone with powder coated aluminium windows and American White Oak balcony screens.
Due to the need to capture light in an environment surrounded by slightly taller buildings, the living accommodation and the external open spaces were provided at first floor level, locating the bedrooms and bathroom on the lower floor. The height of the living space [some 4 metres] and the introduction of clerestory lighting at upper level enhances the sense of openness, space and light.
The apartments have all been fitted with underfloor heating throughout eliminating the need for radiators and have been provided with high levels of both thermal and acoustic insulation. The introduction of central staircases coupled with clear glass balustrades allow for the penetration of light from the upper level into the centre of the lower ground floor. The project was completed in 2002.
To view more of the work of Design Strategies visit http://www.designstrat.com
Related articles
