Article on 'HOUSE ON THE CURVE'
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HOUSE ON THE CURVE
Patti O'Neill of O'Neill Architecture talks about how the Nenagh-based practice focuses on connecting the interior
of a building with the exterior. We help our clients
take full advantage of their entire site, its
environment and orientation. This naturally leads to
energy conscious and sustainable design solutions.
Indoor and outdoor spaces blend together to create a
comprehensive development that fits easily with its
natural surroundings and the client's needs.
'Looking at the House on the Curve Project, the owners main request was for larger, brighter spaces within the
house. Given the south west orientation of the front of the house, the
space to the side was the ideal location for a single-storey extension
offering sun throughout the entire day. We also observed that the garden
was not being used to its full capacity, possibly due to its exposure
as a corner site. By tapering the extension towards the back wall of the
existing house along the south north axis we were able to create a
large, well lit indoor space, as well as a private outdoor space
capturing the sun until after midday. This activates the use of the
north east facing back garden and avoids subsequent disuse from being
cut off from the sun. To the front the extension wraps around 45 degrees
to catch the evening sun. A semi-private outdoor space is created
through this enclosure with a low trellis enhancing the enjoyment of the
front garden.
'In terms of sustainability in the materials, the top of the curved wall of the extension relates to the line of
the stone cladding to the front of the house. Horizontal panel of silver
grey coloured timber veneer resin bound panels bend with the curve to
create a smooth sweep to the rear. The panels follow and pick up the
subdivisions of the windows and french doors and are dressed with a zinc
flashing at the top,' she says.
'Again we have used solid wood windows & doors, triple-glazing,
and a high quality breathable timber frame construction with 100%
sheepswool and wood-fibre board following our Zero Waste principles and
also ensuring a healthy room environment. The one-storey extension now offers a face to the square as opposed
to the existing blank gable wall. The curved extension also picks up the
feature of the corner site by replicating the curved garden wall. At
the same time the curved wall of the extension gives the house owner
privacy on this very exposed corner site,' she concludes.
Patti O'Neill studied
architecture between 1989 and 1995 at the Academy of Fine
Arts, Stuttgart, Germany. After graduating she received
state grants and funding to pursue her own philosophy of
architecture. Prior to establishing her own practice, Patti worked
with Don O'Neill Consulting
, Nenagh, on a
wide range of housing projects, before joining Murray
O’Laoire Architects, Limerick, in 2005. There she gained
extensive additional experience in the design,
construction and project management of large commercial
projects.
