bank house

Designing a residence that integrates into its surroundings, deals intelligently with the climate whilst satisfying the clients request for a family home which truly reflects their desires, aspirations and lifestyle is never a simple undertaking, especially when presented with a challenging environment in one of the most spectacular setting on Rutland Island off the west coast of County Donegal. Building here will never be easy and carries with it heavy responsibilities.

As a response the design is topographically driven maximizing the existing landscape’s natural views and quirks whilst providing secure shelter as well as creating a sense of connection between the building and its dramatic surroundings. Thus the setting became the inspiration and organizing force around the design of the building. The new residence cultivates the site by allowing the existing conditions to influence its form and construction, whilst we fuse new technologies with older building techniques as we incorporate sustainability ideals in order to create a rural architecture for the 21st century that adopts the spirit of the vernacular without resorting to mimicking its forms remodelling or recreating the methods and manners of the past. No two homes should be the same, although we all should draw inspiration from similar sources, but the final result will always be unique: size, layout, location and individual requirement dictate the outcome.

Modern architectures beauty is all the more compelling when it comes from a sensitive reading of architectural traditions that evolved from unique geographic, cultural, and historical circumstances. Thus we proposes to replace the existing dilapidated dwelling with a residence whose form was arrived at after a diligent analysis of both site and context together with a thorough knowledge of the materials and spatial forms which are traditionally used in the local vernacular architecture. We have utilized familiar elements whilst constantly contrasted them with fresh, modern aesthetic choices. Modern technologies are married to the concept of old fashioned comfort. Detailing is precise but embellishment minimal seeking a sense of connection with its rural roots. The house stands naturally in the landscape appearing to grow, without a clear starting point, out of the hill side as though it has always been an integral element of this beautiful setting. The natural stone walls form an organic root to the land allowing landscape and architecture to tease one another until it is difficult to differentiate between the two. The rest of the residence is created using a natural palette of materials, walls or of white render, windows and doors are of timber and the single pitched roof is covered in zinc. The result is a modern interpretation of a rural dwelling which is wholly Irish in aesthetics yet conscious of its current delicate environment.

The internal layout is in essence the traditional linear plan, though adapted to reflect 21st century living it becomes a multi-functional fluid interior where a dialogue is established between open-plan areas and more intimate enclosed retreats. There is a balance between the traditional references and the crisp volumes of modern architecture that allows for the creation of a spacious and light filled home with many visual surprises, an adventure in volume and proportion, human in scale, comfortable in every area and stimulating to the senses. It is this balance of tradition and innovation that is especially inspiring for us as architects.

The residence has two primary entrances, a dry and a wet. The wet entrance allows for life jackets, foul weather gear, canoes and other various boating equipment to be stored before entering the dwelling. The main entrance (the dry entrance) is sheltered from the prevailing winds and driving rain, whilst positioned to meet guest on their arrival from sea. The residence is entered on the lower ground floor level half flight up one enters the sleeping accommodation comprising of four number bedroom one with en-suite facilities and a main bathroom. A half flight above lies a luxurious but simple lounge which allow panoramic view of the surrounding rugged coast whilst also having level access to the sand dunes beyond. A further half flight of stairs leads you the open-plan kitchen and informal dining area which leads in turn out to the raised terrace area where alfresco dining can be enjoyed. Throughout the dwelling porous boundaries between indoors and outdoors heighten ones awareness of location and climate conditions.

Set against the backdrop of a breathtaking island location this new home is not a statement but a subtle and sensitive form of expression, a home while undeniably modern is very much of its place.