​Two Houses for Two Sisters

This project for two grass roofed passive houses was on a site that had a history of planning refusals due to its’ being “backlands” development. In granting permission in August 2010, the planning department of Galway County Council cited the “very high standard of design” and finishes as the reason for their decision to grant permission for 2 houses where previous applications for a single house had been refused.

The project was selected for the RIAI “Everyday Architecture Galway” exhibition which is currently on display at various locations in Galway County. The concept for the proposed dwelling takes root in the traditional rural dwelling and out-house building cluster, however re-interpreted in a contemporary manner. In keeping with the existing rural building typology, the family cluster is arranged to form a sheltered courtyard integrating with and maximising site conditions. The houses themselves, in contrast, are modern in character. The simple but angular geometry of the buildings allow the creation of public entrance courts and private south facing external rooms. Continuously sloping sedum roofs minimise the buildings’ visual impact and ameliorate surface water run-off.

The development has been designed to maximise the privacy of the existing dwellings in the area. All rooms for the proposed dwelling are single aspect with views to the rear with all activities concentrated to private open space to the south. Native species of trees will be incorporated to the front boundaries to further screen potential privacy issues.