Ciara McHugh
+353 89 4364966
ciarammch21@gmail.com
Education
2019 - present Technical University Dublin, Bolton Street, Dublin. Bachelor of Architecture TU832
2018 - 2019 Galway Technical Institute, Fr Griffin Road, Galway Beauty Therapy (QQI Level 5 Beauty Therapy 5M3471 & ITEC Level 2)
Architecture Experience
I have completed four years of Architecture BA (Honours) in TU Dublin, Ireland and spent a semester on Erasmus in ENSAPL, Lille, France. Having worked at Durkin Design for the past seven months, I have gained invaluable experience and honed my skills in various aspects of architecture. Throughout my time there, I have had the privilege of working closely with clients to understand their unique requirements and translate them into innovative and functional design solutions.
In addition to client engagement, I have prepared planning applications, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and facilitating smooth approval processes. Furthermore, I have conducted on-site surveys and assessments of existing houses, analysing structural components, and identifying areas for improvement or renovation.
Projects
Dec, 2023 TU Dublin Student Accommodation, Grangegorman, Dublin
This project consists of student accommodation for the Grangegorman campus with a student bar, exhibition space, and library that reacts to the housing and climate crisis.
May, 2023 Toome House, Leitrim, Ireland
This project consists of a vernacular farmhouse connected to a light filled contrasting A frame wing.
May, 2023 Rockingham House, Lough Key, Roscommon, Ireland
This minimalist house overlooks Lough key, framing magnificent views of the lake.
May, 2023 Cloonloo House, Sligo, Ireland
This traditional Irish cottage is linked to a new building which incorporates the vernacular barn style.
March, 2023 Technical Drawings, Mayo, Ireland
For this project I did the technical drawings for a timber frame company. This house contains pyrite and must be rebuilt using the original plan as it is part of a housing estate.
Year 3, 2022 Coffee Roastery, Lille, France
Involved master planning a micro village with public spaces that contains eight ‘live above work’ plots.
Year 3, 2021 Healthcare Centre, Dublin, Ireland
Involved using sustainable design to reduce flood risk around the river Camac in this public healthcare centre.
Year 2, 2021 Thomas Street Apartments, Dublin, Ireland
This large-scale project involved master planning the regeneration of an area in Dublin's city centre. It contains ten plots, each with an activity on the ground floor to enhance the community with apartments above.
Year 2, 2020 Eurhythmy Centre, Dublin, Ireland
Involved reviving an area in Dublin's city centre that is in decline which contains three community-based projects.
Year 1, 2019 Turning House, Dublin, Ireland
This small-scale residential project involved designing two houses on a compact site while still maintaining an excellent standard of living.
Work Experience
Feb 2023 – Aug 2022
Nov 2022 – Dec 2022
Vincent Durkin Design, Carrick-On-Shannon, Leitrim Part One Architect
Miracle Christmas Cocktail Bar, Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden, London Bartender
May 2021 – Present South William Clinic & Spa, Dublin Skin Therapist & Consultant
Apr 2019 – May 2021
Apr 2019 - Sep 2019
Dec 2018 - Jan 2019
Kilronan Castle, Ballyfarnon, Boyle, Co Roscommon Spa Therapist
Clancy’s Pub, Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon Bartender
Carmel’s Skincare & Beauty, Boyle, Co.Roscommon Beautician
References available upon request.
TU Dublin Student Accommodation Grangegorman, Dublin
This project consists of student accommodation for the Grangegorman campus with a student bar, exhibition space, and library that reacts to the housing and climate crisis. It explores how much space we really need to live in, creating social architecture, and allowing the occupants to have user control over how private of public their apartment is. It also looks at prioritising communal space instead of private cells, by doing this we are not only enhancing the lives of the inhabitants but designing more sustainably and efficiently.
The colonnaded circulation becomes a socialising opportunity with the possibility of conversation.
A grid system of 12m x 3m is employed. All internal walls are non load bearing so that the internal layouts can be changed easily. In the plan to the left the red indicates the ‘hardware’ which is the structure, and the grey indicates the ‘software’ which is internal non load bearing walls and moveable partitions. The bathroom is made from CLT, sliding partitions then sit into this CLT core. This gives students the option to change their apartment layout.
The bathroom cores are constructed modularly off site and are stacked acting as a core giving the building rigidity. By designing buildings to be adaptable we are then future proofing the building so that if in years to come the building use changes that it can easily be adapted using the same structure or by using an easily demountable structure.
Toome House Leitrim, Ireland
This project consists of a vernacular farmhouse which is connected to a light filled A-frame open plan living space that seamlessly links indoor and outdoor spaces, taking advantage of views to the east and south light.
On entering, the building reveals the surrounding countryside in front through a wall of glass behind the stairwell. The traditional farmhouse contains more formal areas including a study and bedrooms while the modern wing contains a more relaxed style of family living.
This minimalist house is nestled into a hill a kilometre from Lough key, framing stunning views of the lake to the west and surrounding landscape. The house consists of an open plan living space with with two wings either side at angles, encompassing the view. The house is carefully placed amongst the trees, and orientated on the site to make the best of the views. As you enter the house you have a direct view through the building and onto the lake. The large columns and roof overhangs give the building a monolithic and organic feel, nestling in harmoniously with the landscape.
Ground Floor Plan
Project Status : Planning Permission granted (preliminary design proposal)
Project Year : 2023
