The clients wished to renovate an existing bungalow located in Redcastle, County Donegal, on an elevated site with spectacular views over Lough Foyle. The property did not do justice to the views and the clients wanted to optimise this aspect along with an entire upgrade the entire building including reconfiguring rooms, extending and enhancing the views and natural light. The use of modern building methods and materials was important, and the clients requested the house to use smart technology and heat recovery system.

Rural site in County Donegal; steep terrain; integration with the locality

Our response is a contemporary design to meet the client’s requirements in a manner that is sensitive to the existing dwelling, the site and the larger site context, and to sustainably enhance the existing dwelling to bring it up to date with modern day requirements. Enhancing the view was the Client’s key wish. We designed the bespoke home to have glass frontage with minimal use of vertical members to ensure uninterrupted views over Lough Foyle and beyond and to encourage solar gain. The design included external covered areas in order to be able to use the space all year round with shelter from the inclement weather. The chimney was reconfigured to become a double chimney with both a fireplace in the living area and an external fireplace in the outside seating area. Modern building materials and methods were included in the design to strive to achieve Passive-Haus standards. The form and material of this bespoke design evokes vernacular rural built forms – local shallow pitched agricultural sheds with corrugated panel cladding. The corrugated panel cladding is typical of many of the agricultural sheds and outbuildings scattered around the Donegal countryside. The ground floor of the house has an open plan kitchen/dining/living area, utility and wc, lounge, bathroom, office/study and 2 bedrooms. The attic floor has master bedroom with ensuite and dress area, entertainment/games room, wc and balcony area. There is an external covered area to the front and side of the dwelling and a BBQ area.