Autumn 2016

Cover Autumn 16.pdf

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Your Dedicated Home Improvement Magazine Autumn 2016 €2.95 / £2.50

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DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 7TH

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Irish Homes in Wicklow, Dublin and Galway

ESSENTIAL STOVE GUIDE 2016

9 772009 866017

Over 15 pages dedicated to your new stove

CONTEMPORARY DUBLIN HOME see page 34| HOME & BUILD DVD’S see page 42| GALWAY PASSIVE HOUSE see page 52

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Wherever you are

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PAINT IT YOUR COLOUR

DUBLIN LIMERICK GALWAY callsave 1850 212 214 www.panellingcentre.ie The Panelling Centre

YOUR STYLE

The Panelling Centre Ireland’s leading supplier of kitchens & wardrobes since 1973 part of Grafton Group plc

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02/06/2016 12:12:35 10/10/2016 17:06

CPI SPRAY FOAM INSULATION

ELIMINATE AIR LEAKAGES When E:Zero E500 spray foam insulation is sprayed in place it expands by 100 times it’s volume and completely fills all cavities and voids creating an airtight sealed building envelope which eliminates air leakage and air infiltration.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY Now more importantly than ever homeowners are very aware of the importance of reducing energy bills. When you have your home insulated with the most certified and “tested for use in Ireland” NSAI Certified E:Zero E500 open cell spray foam insulation this is achieved naturally with minimum disruption normally in 1 day.

UNIT 2 CHARVEY LANE RATHNEW CO. WICKLOW A67 XW92

INDOOR AIR QUALITY Our E:Zero E500 Open cell is water blown so the indoor air quality is enhanced. There is no fiberglass fibres floating around in your home. Our product is fluffy and soft to touch and is totally inert and does not degrade over time and will never need replacing.

BREATHABLE TIMBER We at CPI FOAM LTD have developed a breathable vent card that fits between the roof felt and the spray foam. This ensures that the 50mm air gap as per building regulations are met as per National Standards authority of Ireland NSAI.

FREE QUOTE CALL (0404) 66111 Web: www.cpifoam.ie

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Email: info@cpifoam.ie)

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Contents

Letter from the editor

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elcome to our Autumn issue of Ireland’s Home & Build. Our cover property this issue is the beautiful home of Tony and Theresa Casey. Mark Davies of Arc Design was approached about designing a ‘unique modern art deco influenced house’ and I’m confident you’ll agree the result is fantastic. The house is known as the Streamline House in Delgany, County Wicklow and everybody involved did a fantastic job.

Mr Davies specialises in bringing Passive and Low Energy into building design whilst keeping a close eye on the architecture of the practices designs. Mark is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with Chartered Institute of Chartered Technologists along with being a Chartered Member of Association of Building Engineers. You can read the full story about this unique property on page 10.

With the weather quickly changing and the evenings getting colder we decided it would be a great time to do a stove guide. We chatted to manufacturers and retailers both in Ireland and the UK to get a good idea of what you should consider before handing over your hard-earned money. We also looked at trends within this sector so you have an idea of the way things are progressing with styles, colours and regulations.

Apart from our main cover feature we also have other impressive new builds.

David O’Shea of ODOS Architecture is the practice behind Stradbrook lawns on page 34, in Blackrock, Co Dublin where old was turned to modern with some great design

by Darrell and his team.

In Knocklyon Eric Stilwell of Joe Fallon Design worked with the home owners who had a clear vision of what they wanted with regard to design, layout and functionality.

The end result provided better orientation and living space and a beautiful home.

On page 52 of this issue we have a property by Greentec Ecological Homes. Some of our readers may remember back in Autumn 2015 when we ran a Connemara home by Greentec on our cover. This latest property is a new barn-inspired passive house with the home owner taking inspiration from the local vernacular whilst being the perfect home.

Finally, we have modern day compact home which was designed by Derek Trenaman to maximise solar gain in the picturesque setting of Malahide. This build involved renegotiating land boundaries in order to get the best possible site for a starting point. The final result is a credit to all involved.

In this issue we also take a look at the new Opel Mokka in our motoring section, our kitchen feature is a great read to get you focused on updating and modernising your old kitchen before Christmas is firmly here. We also review new and handy gadgets in our New Gear section. Enjoy the latest issue and our next issue is in shops early January!

Until the next issue, Home and Build Team

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Sales & Marketing Director: Anthony Kelly Production Manager: Keith Wealleans Graphic Designer: Colin Brennan Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie For all advertising and marketing queries, contact Anthony on ph: +353 1 458 7672 or email: info@homeandbuild.ie Home and Build Magazine Ltd Ph: +353 1 458 7672 Email: info@homeandbuild.ie Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle, Co Dublin © Home and Build Magazine Ltd 2016 ISSN: 2009-8669

Home & Build Autumn 2016

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Contents

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NEWS 4 Latest news from the self-building and home sector in Ireland COVER STORY 10 The house of dreams in Wicklow

STOVE SPECIAL 15 In depth guide to your new stove

32 NEW GEAR The latest work tools and gadgets

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OLD TO MODERN IN 34 BLACKROCK, CO DUBLIN ODOS Architecture are behind this amazing home

CAR REVIEW 38 We review the Opel Mokka

MAKING AN OLD HOUSE NEW 44 Eric Stilwell extension in Knocklyon

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A BEAUTIFUL BARN IS THE PERFECT HOME IN GALWAY! 58 Two-storey split level timber framed house in South Connemara

MODERNISING YOUR KITCHEN AHEAD OF CHRISTMAS 58 The kitchen is where it is at

HOPE, DETERMINATION AND DREAMS IN MALAHIDE 66 Derek Trenaman looks back on working on this new build property

FINANCING YOUR SELF-BUILD 74 Getting the all-important mortgage approval INTERNATIONAL HOME 78 Contemporary Farmhouse in the Suffolk Countryside

78 WEBSITE www.homeandbuild.ie for further information

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News

NEWS

CIF warns low infrastructure investment will confine regions to permanent lower growth

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he Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has warned that the Government’s housing measures and job creation plans will not succeed without a significant increase in infrastructure investment.

The CIF met with officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to outline their pre-budget proposals.

CIF Director General, Tom Parlon said: “A key focus in the budget will be on the measures that the Minister will make to solve the housing crisis. Today, we are predicting that the low level of infrastructure investment across our economy will be the next crisis Ireland faces. Nearly a decade of low level investment in infrastructure now risk economic growth and are confining regions outside the Greater Dublin Area to permanent lower growth levels.

Without significant infrastructure investment, people will continue to migrate to Dublin and the budgetary measures to address the housing crisis may deliver housing into what may become unsustainable ‘ghost’ communities. The CIF are proposing that any housing policy under consideration

by Government should coincide with increased expenditure in national infrastructure investment.

In terms of resolving the housing crisis, the CIF has long sought the introduction of a help-to-buy scheme where the Government takes equity in the homes of first-time buyers.

This approach would be more effective than the simple grant scheme being suggested in some quarters. It would also support 4-5 first-time buyer couples at a lower cost to the State than building an additional social housing unit.

Finally, any housing measures announced in the budget must be complemented with a relaxation of the Central Bank’s application of mortgage rules. Our research indicates that in Dublin an average couple (Garda, nurse, civil servant) with 5 years’ experience cannot secure a mortgage for the average house. The resulting lack of mortgage approval makes it unviable for builders to build, and ironically, for banks to provide finance. Those who can afford to service a mortgage can’t access one. The CIF believes that the Central Banks could allow banks more exemptions to their rules to provide mortgages only to those first time buyers with appropriate income levels and a track record of paying rent. This will ensure that who can afford a mortgage and home can access one without a return to unsustainable credit levels in the economy.”

Home & Build Autumn 2016

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News

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Two new low energy developments in west of Ireland built with Amvic ICF

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mvic Ireland, the Kildare-based manufacturer of insulated concrete formwork systems for low energy and airtight buildings, is currently on site with two new ICF developments in the west of Ireland.

The first is a small scheme of five houses in Knocknacarra, Galway, by Sawgrass Developments. The houses are targeting an A2 BER rating with airtightness of less than 2.0 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals — though Amvic’s Pat Martin told Ireland’s Home and Build that the company’s ICF system typically delivers less than 1.0 as standard anyway.

The 1900 square foot units are now nearing completion, with all of the houses now sold. Meanwhile Amvic is also working on an A3 rated scheme in Sixemilebridge, Co Clare, for Glencore Construction.

This project is a continuation of a development that began in 2007, when 20 houses were completed.

Pat Martin told Home and Build that the first phase of the scheme,

which was also built with Amvic ICF, performed so well that the developer commissioned the company again for phase two, comprising a further 30 units.

The 2007-built houses featured Amvic ICF walls with a U-value of 0.25, but reports from some residents suggest that they are using just 200 litres of oil a year for heating, at a current cost of €130 a year.

“Amvic ICF is a one stop solution to meet the requirements of the building regulations for structure, airitightness, thermal bridging, noise transmission and fire compartmentalisation, based on a reinforced concrete shell in a very cost competitive package. It’s simple and fast to build,” Pat Martin said.

He added that Amvic ICF can also meet the passive house standard easily through the addition of extra insulation internal or external to the basic ICF structure.

Amvic manufacturers all of its ICF systems at its factory in Naas, Co Kildare.

Increased global sales since Brexit for Arada

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rada Stoves has been going from strength to strength, bucking a national trend with international expansion and sales success within the stove market. Recently they developed trading relationships within two more international markets, with more sure to follow.

Following meetings in Italy and then a successful visit to the UK, a well-established stove distributor from Japan has agreed distribution terms with us. The first shipment to Japan will be made in early October and includes new products developed specifically for the Japanese market.

Having received successful product approval for the North American market, Arada has also shipped its first container of product to its American distributor based in New York. The agreement comes after rigorous Environmental Protection Agency testing and a lengthy approval process which has taken more than a year to complete.

Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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News

House prices up more than 7% as supply constraints hit

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wo new reports on the Irish housing market paint a picture of a sector under strain due to a lack of supply, with asking prices rising and a pressing need for the Government to stimulate homebuilding.

The two quarterly reports, one each from rival property websites MyHome.ie and Daft.ie, both suggest that asking prices nationally have risen so far this year at an annual rate of more than 7 per cent.

Myhome, which is owned by The Irish Times, produced its third-quarter report in conjunction with the stockbroking firm Davy. Conall Mac Coille, Davy’s chief economist, said a “lack of supply is hurting transactions”, with levels falling 5 per cent over the first eight months.

Myhome said that overall, house prices are on track for a gain of more than 5 per cent over the whole year, although a bulge in the market in summer has cooled somewhat. It said a buoyancy

in asking prices earlier in the year is now being reflected in transaction prices.

It surveyed visitors to its site, and found that more than three quarters of them don’t expect any change to the tight Central Bank lending rules that have constrained borrowing levels and made it difficult for some first-time buyers to get on the ladder in an era of low housebuilding.

More than 70 per cent of respondents to its survey expect big house price rises over the next 12 months, of up to 10 per cent.

Almost half of respondents to the survey would like to see budget measures to stimulate homebuilding, while only 11 per cent think the solution to the current pressure in the market should be to loosen lending limits.

This, said the site, shows there is “little underlying political pressure” for the Central Bank to relax its rules.

Myhome found that average asking prices in

Dublin, on the most recently added properties to its site, were €327,000, and €232,000 nationally.

It suggested a quarterly rise of just 0.4 per cent nationally after a rise of more than 5 per cent in the summer months.

It said the number of houses for sale was down 2.6 per cent to just under 23,000.

“The contraction in residential transactions cannot be blamed on any lack of mortgage availability,” it said, highlighting that mortgage approvals were up a third in the three months to August.

Daft, meanwhile, said house asking prices had risen 7.6 per cent annually in the period to end of September, with a rate of inflation of 5.3 per cent in Dublin but much higher in cities outside the capital.

Asking prices are up 10 per cent in Cork city, 12 per cent in Galway, 14 per cent in Limerick, and 16 per cent in Waterford.

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Cunning design, foxy looks The sleek design of a Britannia cooker hides an array of helpful features, but there’s no hiding its quality. A range of colour options allows you to bring some personality into your home, while each Britannia has an attention to detail and a ruggedness that makes it at home in even the most demanding environment.

Britannia is exclusively supplied throughout Ireland

by Glen Dimplex Northern Ireland and Dimpco.

Republic of Ireland: Contact Dimpco on +353 (0) 1842 4833 or email: sales@dimpco.ie Northern Ireland: Contact Glen Dimplex Northern Ireland on (028) 3833 7317 or email: sales@glendimplexni.co.uk

Find us online at www.britannialiving.ie and follow us on

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Floor Screed

EASY SCREED As the longest established liquid floor screeding company in Ireland, Easyscreed are the sole suppliers and nationwide installers of Easy Screed.

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he vastly experienced site and office staff have dealt with the installation of over 200,000 m² throughout Ireland. They are the market leaders in liquid floor screed installations in Ireland offering a professional, reliable and quality service every time.

An Irish owned company, offering advice and expertise to architects, builders, home-owners, the underfloor heating industry, timber frame manufacturers, pre-fabricated building systems and the renovation market.

Easy Screed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed. A fast, efficient alternative to traditional sand and cement floor screed, Easy Screed is designed for smoothing and levelling floors before installation of the final floor finishes.

Easy Screed is made from a blend of the highest quality materials available combining a mix of sand, water and an alpha-hemihydrate calcium sulphate binder agent. It contains no cement and therefore eliminates many problems generally associated with traditional floor screeds.

Because of its unique high-strength properties, Easy Screed is poured in a much thinner layer than traditional screeds, from just 10mm when used for floor levelling and between 35mm and 50mm with underfloor heating.

Easy Screed is a CE certified product, conforming to DIN EN 13454.

162 Richmond Road Fairview, Dublin 3

What is Easy Screed?

EasyScreed is a self-levelling liquid, natural floor screed, alternative to traditional sand and cement screeds.

Designed for smoothing and leveling floors before installation of the final floor finishes, Easy Screed is made from the highest quality natural materials available in Europe.

For more information, please give us a call +353 (01) 837 3555

Email: jerry.beades@gmail.com

Web: www.easyscreed.ie

Home & Build Autumn 2016

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TapcoSlate

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TAPCOSLATE –

SLATE, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT!

TapcoSlate has recently achieved BBA accreditation for usage on roof pitches as low as 14.5 degrees on felt and batten installations.

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minimum pitch capability of 14° and upwards lightweight & easy to cut NOW BBA RATED minimal waste & faster installation ON FELT & BATTEN ROOF PITCHES OF largest industry colour choice 14.5° 40-year warranty

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Roofing slate has for centuries been desired for its durability and aesthetic appeal, but it does have drawbacks with its weight, pitch restrictions and brittleness. British Board of Agrément (BBA) certified TapcoSlate combines all the positive features of this beautiful, natural product, but adds practicality and enhanced performance to create a beautiful roof that won’t break or delaminate, survives substantial impact, is very light in weight and can be used on lower pitches than those achievable with natural slate.

BBA

rown

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estnut B

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Lightweight – as low as 12kg per square metre.

Can be used on roof pitches as low as 14 degrees.

Authentic slate appearance – combines the beauty of slate with modern technology.

Easy to install with pre-marked nailing and exposure guides and spacers. Easily cut with a fine-toothed saw or sharp utility blade.

No breakages – TapcoSlate will not crack, split or break when cut, dropped, or walked upon. No need to build in a wastage factor.

Random edges and patterns with constant colour throughout.

Built-in camber for tighter fit when fixed in situ.

No sorting, clipping, or drilling prior to roof loading. Packaged in bndles of 25 for easy handling.

40-year warranty.

Fully tested to BBA standards, including fire rating, wind, driven snow & rain, and water absorption.

Overall installation costs are extremely competitive. TapcoSlate can be laid much faster than natural slate. home&build_jan_2016_half-page.pdf 22/01/2016 TapcoSlate is not made from recycled1plastics but is 10:55 manufactured

from recyclable virgin limestone and polypropylene.

Tapco Roofing Accessories Tapco roofing products conform to the latest BS5534 guidelines for total dry-fix installations. Accessories for the roofing system include: Mechanically fixed Tapco Ridge & Hip Caps. Universal fitment for pitches from 14 to 55 degrees.

The RidgeMaster® Plus and HipMaster roof ventilating systems complement TapcoSlate for pitches from 14 to 45 degrees. Patented internal baffles exclude windblown snow and rain while internal filters block out insects, leaves and other debris.

Slate Vents – Cowl Vent, suitable for all pitches, cambered profile for tighter fit, aesthetically pleasing, easy installation (no clips), robust (no breakage), driving rain resistant, with 10k airflow. A low-line vent product is currently in development for pitches of 25 degrees and upwards. An R type adaptor is available for connecting pipework.

Slate Dry Verge System, designed for use with most natural and manmade slates up to a maximum 6mm thickness. Available in 2 metre lengths and manufactured from high impact UPVC, black in colour.

k Red

• • •

• •

709 Bric

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reviously, fully-boarded applications were required to achieve pitches below 22.5 degrees. This increases the potential to use slate on hitherto unconsidered projects.

Benefits of TapcoSlate are:

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Cover Story

THE HOUSE OF

DREAMS IN WICKLOW We take a look at this beautifully designed home in Delgany

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hen architect Mark Davies of Arc Design was approached about designing a ‘unique modern art deco influenced’ house for Tony and Theresa Casey, he had absolutely no hesitation in doing so. The house known as the Streamline House in Delgany, County Wicklow.

“The clients’ existing house was a thermally efficient 2000 standard timber frame dormer bungalow on a 1.1 acre plot. Tony and Theresa Casey (the clients house) wanted to gain planning for sub-dividing the site and construct a new modern ‘A’ rated house for them on 0.55 of an acre plot,’’ explained Mark

Davies.

“Once the Casey’s received granting of planning permission, they sold their existing house to finance the build of the new house. We felt that it was essential for the early employment of a Quantity Surveyor and Structural Engineer to give cost and design guidance. Fortunately, the site was relatively level, however our intended location of the new house was close to a fast flowing stream and banking along the eastern boundary which we intended to take advantage of within our design,’’ explained Mr Davies.

Mr Davies specialises in bringing Passive and Low Energy into building

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Cover Story

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Karl Rapple of Nazzgman Photography

design whilst keeping a close eye on the architecture of the practices designs.

Mark is a Chartered Architectural Technologist with the Chartered Institute of Chartered Technologists. Mark is also on the Register for Building Surveyors under the Building Control Act 2007 acting as Assigned Certifier on the practices portfolio of projects.

“The clients brief was to design a unique, modern art deco influenced house as a retirement home. The house with its subtle curves takes advantage of the natural curvature of the stream whilst incorporating the soft sound of the water rushing underneath the overhanging balcony with a view towards an existing secret garden.’’

The internal ground floor accommodation includes a large open plan living/ dining/kitchen space and utility room with a separate lounge room and a spectacular curved staircase leading to the first floor. The first floor comprises of a master suite with access to the balcony overlooking the stream, as well as three additional bedrooms with one ensuite and a family bathroom also on that floor.

“Due to the open plan design and cantilevered balconies, the Engineer recommended the use of in-situ concrete floors, roof and balconies which incorporated an insulated connection bar system to avoid cold bridging. The feature curved staircase was constructed in reinforced concrete,’’ enthused

Mark Davies.

The reinforced ground floor concrete slab was covered in 200mm EPS linked to EPS wailing blocks and finished with a 100mm reinforced screed containing the under floor heating. Radon sump and damp proofing membrane/ course detailing was used.

The flat concrete in-situ roof slab incorporated a waterproofing additive and it was covered in a minimum thickness of 200mm, up to 300mm of tapered insulation boards were covered in roofing membrane and falling towards the rainwater outlets.

A full heat recovery system was concealed within the building ceiling and connected to a heat exchanger unit located on the first floor.

“It was essential for the house to achieve a sustainable performance along with a comfortable all year round living environment. Our practice has used the Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) wailing systems on a number of our previous projects which have been monitored. We are aware that ICF Construction provides a high level of thermal insulation and air tightness resulting in excellent low annual energy running costs, so we’re happy to recommend the system to the clients,’’ explained Mark.

“By combining EPS insulation which is CFC/HCFC free and concrete thermal mass minimises temperature fluctuations by absorbing and storing heat. The waling with the extra external insulation layer brought the U-Value down from the standard system of 0.215W/m2k. to 0.16W/M2k. The complete building envelope is thermally designed approximately 25% above the minimum Building Regulation Standards.

“The combination of concrete and ICF walling construction has made the building extremely resilient to deterioration or flood damage as it is a monolithic structure. Nordan AluClad triple glazed windows and door units were specified with soft coat low ‘E’ Argon gas with special noise reduction.

This reduced the heat loss to a U-Value of 0.82W/m2K,’’ he revealed.

“The entire house is fitted with a Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation System (MVHR) which supplies fresh air to all habitable rooms. It also removes moist stale air, reusing the heat to pre-heat the fresh air entering the building.

“A sustainable electric solution for the heating and hot water was provided to work alongside the MVHR. The solution was a ‘water source’ heat pump which uses the heat energy available in water as a heat source,’’ said Mark Davies.

“Our Building Regulations 2011 TGD: L Dwellings indicate that reasonable provision for air tightness is to achieve a pressure test result of no worse than 7m3/(h.m2)@50Pa. This current good practice for energy efficient dwellings includes achieving air tightness of better than 5m3/ (h.m2) @50Pa. The construction of the building has been assessed to achieving an air permeability rating of 2m3 (h.m2) or less.

“The hot water and under floor heating was provided via a ‘Water Source’ heat pump with an open loop system using stream water which passes into an underground concrete holding tank to raise the temperature of the water to the required minimum of eight degrees. Stream water then enters the heat pump through under floor heating pipes. The used water is then dumped back into the stream without any contamination, making the system environmentally friendly,’’ he revealed.

“The ICF walling system is seen to be the best and most user friendly, due to its innovative design which increases speed of construction, reduces labour costs and provides the highest level of performance during and after construction. We were keen to keep the purity of the design by eliminating exposed external rainwater downpipes, these pipes were concealed within the external wall insulation. Drainage from the balconies was taken down within the vertical hollow structural steel supports.

“The hot water and under floor heating was provided through a sustainable water source heat pump with an open loop system using stream water from the local stream,’’ enthused Mr Davies. ‘’The particular Amvic ICF system we specified has been awarded an A+

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Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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Cover Story

by the BRE under its Green Guide to specification assessment scheme. The system materials and components were appraised under environmental impact, with comparable specifications, across their entire life cycles. The A+ demonstrates that the ICF system we used is one of the most environmental friendly and sustainable ways to build. ‘’A renewable wood burning appliance was incorporated into the formal lounge and relax area. The site is level and it is fully accessible and compliant under our building regulations TGD: Part M access and use, explained Mark.’’ ‘’Arc Design is of the opinion that our practice has designed an aesthetically outstanding building to a very high level of technical excellence. We believe in the Streamline House has not just met the clients’ brief but exceeded it by the use of a spectrum of individual solutions that has resulted in the clients’ living in what they say is the house of their dreams, concluded Mark Davies.’’ ‘’I absolutely love this house to bits,’’ said the home owner Tony Casey whilst in conversation with Home and Build. ‘’Mark did a fantastic job on the house and Laurian, the project manager did a great job. We decided to build this house as I was coming to retirement. We had a house with an acre and I was able to get on to the main shore which gave me the possibility of building a new house in the garden so I sold our original house and that is how this house came about. ‘’I met Mark, the architect who had also built a house for my son and the stipulation when it came to building the house was that I wanted to get as much value out of the stream as we possibly could so Mark came up with the idea of the balcony and wrapping them around and allowing us to hear the stream flow as we sit out on the balcony’’, added Mr Casey. ‘’We also really wanted to have as much southern light as possible so we

have larger windows at the back of the house and after quite a lot of discussion, Mark came up with the idea of the slimmer windows at the front which contrast with the back of the house.

The design for the house was an organic one, it grew from Mark. We got planning permission from Wicklow County Council for a more standard type of house but with the same footprint but then Mark came back to us and explained that he was not happy with the shape of the proposed house and would we mind if he tweaked it up a bit. Knowing that this was my retirement home and where I wanted to live forever I wanted to get the design of the house right so we tweaked away and we kept coming up with ideas so it became an art deco house with a modern twist’’, he explained. ‘’We then decided to curve the outside of the house and then we decided that we couldn’t have a house with curved walls and a pitched roof so the roof was done away with completely. ‘’We went down the route of getting a contractor in to work on the house which was my wife’s idea and I didn’t like that because I know how houses can change within the plans and these changes cost money so I got involved myself and in turn I wanted someone to just manage the project for me and I got Laurian to project manage the whole thing for me ‘’We have a lovely garden to look out in the mornings and in the evenings, we eat our breakfast on the balcony listening to the stream and to be quite honest with you, this house is idyllic. We’re delighted with the house and with the professionals that we had involved, it was a completely hassle free build and that is a rarity,’ imparted Tony Casey.

“It was essential for the house to achieve a sustainable performance.”

Home & Build Autumn 2016

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Cover Story

Established in 2007, Arc Design’s success is based on understanding the client’s needs whilst focusing on Quality in Design. The practice has a reputation for producing highly detailed functional, energy efficient buildings in a variety of design styles with emphases on maximizing light, space and use of materials.

DESIGN

Tel: 00353 1 876875448 Tel: 00353 1 2010377

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Willowgrove Delgany Co. Wicklow

Email: info@arcdesign.ie Website: www.arcdesign.ie

CONSTRUCTION & PROJECT MANAGER

0861254160 New Builds | Renovations | Extensions | Home Improvements Attic Conversions | Insulation | Energy Saving

Email: ldecobuilding@gmail.com

Web: www.ldecobuilding.ie Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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Cover Story

“The entire house is fitted with a Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation System.”

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT: Mark Davies, Arc Design Willowgrove, Delgany, County Wicklow.

01 876875448 or 01 2010377 www.arcdesign.ie or info arcdesign.ie BUILDER:

Laurian Nasaudean L + D Eco Building, Clonsilla, County Dublin 086 1254160 or 086 1204581

www.l+decoecobuilding.ie or ldecobuilding@gmail.com

HEATING AND PLUMBING:

ELECTRICIAN:

Electrician-Paul Kennedy of Kenmac Electrical 0879791332 Paul Kennedy, Kenmac Electrical Services, 20 Earlscroft, Bray, County Wicklow www.kenmac.ie Paul@kenmac.ie 087 9791332

Andy Firman PJ Firman + Co Ltd, Plumbing and Heating Engineers, Latimerstown, County Wexford www.firmanplumbing.ie or 053 9143018 KITCHEN:

The Design Yard, 11 - 15 Erne Street Upper, Dublin 2 www.thedesignyard.com 01 6765911

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STOVE FEATURE SPECIAL

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Stove Special

THE RIGHT STOVE SETUP

CAN SAVE YOU MONEY As the Winter is fastly approaching, it is time to say goodbye to those lovely, long, bright summer evenings and hello to the long, dark and dreary nights that seem never ending.

“A top priority is to make sure they choose the right heat output.�

A

s the winter is fastly approaching, it is time to say goodbye to those lovely, long, bright summer evenings and hello to the long, dark and dreary nights that seem never ending. One of the things that people look forward to at this time of year,other than dare we say it is Christmas, is getting out our winter woolies, boots, hats, scarves, gloves and boots followed by sitting in on a cold dark night with the television on, feet up and not a care in the world whilst relaxing beside a lovely warm fire or stove.

Heating is and can be a costly business so within this article as a

part of our stove special, you will find some useful information about how to save some money along the way as you heat your homes as well as things to consider and things that are overlooked whilst buying a stove.

For increasing numbers of people, the cleaner wood-burning stove, which has the pleasing aesthetics of an open fire but with far greater efficiency, has become the stylish alternative. In recent years, the aforementioned stove has become a firm favourite with home owners left, right and centre not only due to the fact that a stove is a great way of heating wherever you may require it to heat

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Stove Special

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Brands Supplied

but also because of its cost effectiveness.

Not only do stoves give out quite a substantial amount of heat when they are in use but they also double up as a focal point in any room. Stoves run at 80% efficiency meaning lower fuel bills.

Of course like anything, if you are considering buying a stove, there are some practicalities with one of them being considering whether or not your home is suitable for a wood stove as according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland any house that has space for the stove and the associated items is suitable. The size of stove you choose depends on your homes heating requirements which will vary individually.

There are two main types available and they can be either free-standing or an insert. A dry stove is for room heating only, while a wet stove has a built-in back boiler, so you can heat radiators and water. How they work is that they release 20pc of radiant heat to the room via a transparent front. The dry stove distributes the remaining 80pc through a hot-air fan and a wet stove uses that 80pc to heat the radiators.

If you are thinking about installing a wet stove, you will need access to the heating pipes or if you are connecting a wet stove to an existing back boiler in a fireplace, this is less of an issue. As Dry Stoves don’t have any connection to the heating system , they are easier to install and are suitable for heating a single room or an open-plan area.

There are many things customers should be looking for, but a top priority is to make sure they choose the right heat output. Homeowners need to make sure they are searching for the right sized stove that provides the optimum amount of heat needed for their room,’’ said Ariana Hardison-Moschopoulou from the Stovax Heating Group.

“Too small and it will be difficult to warm the room, too large and you may need to open the windows! It’s always best to visit your local expert retailer who will be able to work out the right size stove for your home, but a very rough guide for working out how many kW you will need is to multiply the height, width and length of the room to find the total number of cubic meters and divide this by 14.

In terms of what customers may overlook when it comes to buying a stove, this is what Ms Hardison- Moschopoulou had to say.

“Sometimes customers don’t buy from an approved retailer which can mean they miss out on installation expertise, after-sales servicing and an extended warranty. We would always advise you to buy from an expert, independent retailer so that they can arrange for your stove to be professionally installed as well as making sure you benefit from our five year warranty - something that online retailers can’t always offer.

“When purchasing a wood burner, customers need to check if they live in a Smoke Control Area, so they know whether they should opt for a model that

is exempt from smoke restrictions. Stovax offer one of the largest ranges of smoke control exempt stoves ensuring that both rural and urban homes can enjoy the benefits of a stove,’’ enthused Ariana Hardison- Moschopoulou.

“One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a stove would be the track record of the manufacturer who should be able to provide replacement parts for their stoves long after it has been purchased and installed, most long established brands will give you this meaning you can maintain and service your stove for many years,’’ said Tommy Bruton of Clifford’s Fireplaces.

“Something that is often overlooked is the stated heat output of a stove.

A lot of stove manufacturers quote a maximum heat output, which you will never really achieve in the real world and nor should you be trying to use a stove to its maximum capacity as this will shorten the life of the linings and parts and perhaps even the stove itself.

“You should not be afraid to have more capacity within a stove than you might ever need, you can control the output to a certain extent by adjusting the size of fire inside and also the burn rate of the fire by way of the air controls.

The last thing you want from your stove is to find that it never really gives you the heat you need, this could lead to over firing in an attempt to get more from the stove that it has been designed for,’’ added Mr Bruton.

“When purchasing any stove it is very important to know where you will source your fuel and where it will be stored. Some stoves are Wood burning only while others are Multi Fuel, it is imperative that only dry fuel is used in a stove and consideration should be given to space to keep wood stored in a dry environment.

Stoves need to be maintained in order to work to the optimum levels, to remain safe to use and to extend the life of the stove. A general annual service should carried out on a stove to clean out and inspect all component parts to ensure they are still fit for use, this would normally be carried out in conjunction with a sweep of the flue which should be carried out at the very least once a year and sometimes more depending on level of use and also the type of fuels being burnt,’’ he explained.

“Other more regular checks should be carried out by the user of the stove to ensure safe and efficient use, for example the ashes should be regularly cleaned out and the baffle plates should be removed on a weekly or monthly basis. You should familiarize yourself with your stove to be able to carry out these general maintenance issues,’’ concluded Tommy Bruton.

According to SEAI, a wood stove typically costs between €2,000 and €8,000 supplied and installed, and you should always check with the supplier if the cost of the flue is included in the price.

Their longevity is in the region of 12-15 years, but it really depends on how you use the stove. It’s also worth considering investing in a reputable brand because you’ll have the guarantee of being able to pick up spare parts if necessary. Norwegian stove makers JØtul for example, will have spare parts for 10 years after a stove goes out of production.

“One of the key things when buying a stove is making sure that you will be able to get spare parts for the stove in question and as stoves rise to very high temperatures invariably bits on them will go over time and they will need replacing so it is quite useful to buy a stove that can be easily repaired and updated,’’ said Marketing Director of Charnwood, Cedric Wells.

“It is very important that you get the stove fitted correctly,’’ added Mr Wells.

“Within the UK, under ‘Eco Design’, new legislation is coming into force in 2022 meaning that stoves will have to meet certain efficiency, added Marketing Director of Charnwood Cedric Wells criteria and omission regulations. Although this may not directly apply to the Irish market, it is a

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Stove Special positive step to make wood burning safer, greener and much more effective.’’ said Cedric Wells of Charnwood.

Another advantage to having a wood-burning stoves are considered carbon neutral, have very low emissions and the wood ash is good for planting and gardening. When it comes to servicing them, it’s recommended that you get this done annually, and the chimney cleaned.

“The main thing to consider when buying a stove is what best suits the customer’s lifestyle and their needs so whether they want solid fuel, gas or what would be the most convenient for them. It is also important to get the size of the stove right as you don’t want it to be over heating or under heating where it (the stove) is going. You would look and see what other heating people have in the room as some people may have under floor heating; others may have radiators also in the room,’’ said Kieran Burke from Murphy Heating.

“Another thing we would ask our customers if what kind of style they are after, is it something modern like up on the wall or something slightly more traditional? We also always ask them what kind of a set up they have if they have a chimney there, if it is an existing build or if it is a new build.

“I think customers overlook how important a chimney or a flue is. The customers look at the unit as a box and they forget about all of the accessories that go with it,’’ added Mr Burke. ”One of the things to look out for when buying a stove would be to make sure that the stove is manufactured in Europe and not in China. Stoves made in China buckle after three or four years and you have to replace them. Chinese stoves would be a lot lighter and the steel in them would be a lot thinner and so they are not as well able to absorb the heat as the European ones are,’’ said Managing Director of EuropeanStovesAndFireplaces.ie, Ben Phipps.

“Customers should buy what is available to them as in what materials they are going to use to burn in the stove whether it be coal, logs or turf as well as what store space they have in their shed followed by working out what size stove they need from that.

“Another thing customers should consider when buying a stove is the cost of the materials that you are burning as well as what guarantee you have with your stove,’’ added Mr Phipps.

“The main thing when buying a stove is making sure that the chimney is adequate so if it is (the house) is a new build we would recommend an insulated liner and if it is an existing build we would recommend a CCTV inspection to make sure that the liners are intact. We always recommend putting a new steel liner down the chimney and flue which enables the gases to get out quicker,’’ said Managing Director of Bell Stoves, Joe Jennings.

“Choosing a stove is one thing but getting the chimney right is another. It’s the flue/chimneys job to get rid of the smoke and gases not the stoves. During the planning stage we advise people to investigate the use of insulated liners as they warm up quickly and hold the heat resulting in a better performing appliance. A good chimney will make the appliance more efficient.

“When people are buying a stove they must make sure that the stove they are buying can burn the fuel that they want,’’ added Mr Jennings.

“Buying a stove is an investment and if you want to be assured of the very best quality and safety, expert advice and cutting edge stove technology, great design and a super after sales services then the brand of choice is Blacksmith, said Managing Director of Blacksmith Stoves, Joan Grant.

“Multi fuel stoves will burn all types of commercially approved solid fuels such as coal, wood, peat, turf, briquette and anthracite,’’ concluded Ms Grant.

Suppliers & Installers of Top Quality Fireplaces & Stoves Over 60 years experience!

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STXGZO

Firing imaginations for over 30 years...

Over 30 years of design and engineering have gone into creating the UK and Ireland’s most comprehensive range of high quality woodburning, solid-fuel, gas and electric stoves and fireplaces.

www.stovax.com STXGZO_Huntingdon 40.indd 4 Malahide.indd 19

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Stove Special

WHY CHOOSE A

DIMPLEX RILEY INSET STOVE? Contemporary styling and the clean lines of the Dimplex ‘Riley’ are sure to appeal to householders wishing to ‘close up’ their highly inefficient open fire.

Efficient An open fire is at best 30% efficient. The Riley is 77% meaning straight away your fuel goes much further.

Three-way Air Supply • Primary – Feeds your fire with necessary oxygen.

• Air Wash / Secondary air – Keeps the door glass clean and aids combustion.

• Tertiary Air/ Third air - Promotes an ‘extra’ burn that ensures cleaner air emissions.

Safe The Riley comes with a ‘Cool Touch Handle’ for easier access to the firebox (glove also supplied).

Clean Fire bricks play an important role in prolonging your stoves lifespan by protecting it from the extreme heat. We’ve added a feature whereby the bricks actually burn themselves clean, keeping your home tidy and saving you time.

With the lowest known emissions in the market, all our emissions results point to the Riley being quite possibly ‘the cleanest stove on the market’.

Innovative Design For sitting on a hearth we supply the three-way frame as standard. Optional extras include (a) a four-way frame (for a ‘floating installation’) and (b) a Multi Fuel grate adaptor.

The Dimplex Riley Inset Stove is available from leading fireplace retailers and stockists nationwide.

“Results point to the Riley being quite possibly ‘the cleanest stove on the market’.”

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Since 1969

www.murphyheating.com

For the widest choice in modern and traditional stoves Kinvara Co. Galway.

Tel: 091 637159 www.murphyheating.com Since 1969

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Stove Special

FROM CHARNWOOD Charnwood are UK manufacturers of the finest multi-fuel & wood burning stoves and we take a look at the newly released ARC and The Bembridge.

Charnwood ARC England’s oldest wood burning stove manufacturer Charnwood have launched their latest model the ‘Arc’. Drawing inspiration from the west coast of the Isle of Wight (where they are designed and made) the Arc’s pared down simplicity echoes the undulating fields and open space.

Designed to simplify the process of burning wood and smokeless fuels the 5kW stove achieves exceptional efficiencies with very low emissions.

The Arc also features a rotating grate system that can be adjusted to best suit your fuel of choice and also doubles up as an extremely effective deashing device – ensuring less mess.

Engineered from cast iron, plate steel and ceramic glass the Arc comes in a choice of 8 colours.

Available from September 2016 Arc with Low Stand RRP £1495 / €1620 + VAT Arc with Store Stand RRP £1595 / €1,730 + VAT www.charnwood.com 0044-1983 537777

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Brand Supplied

NEW STOVES FOR 2016

British Made The Bembridge is British built from the best combination of materials and components sourced from the UK. The castings, sheet steel and brick materials are from the West Midlands while the wooden door handles are turned by hand using British Beech from Yorkshire. The ceramic glass is sourced from Coventry.

Custom Built The Bembridge comes in a choice of five colours: Black, Almond, Gunmetal and two exclusive new signature shades - Soft Green and French Grey.

An optional store stand, high legs and reciprocating grate (for easy ash removable) and a heat shield are also available.

Exceptional Efficiencies The Bembridge uses the very latest combustion technology and has been designed and independently tested to stringent European standards making it one of the most efficient stoves on the market today. So low are the emissions The Bembridge is DEFRA exempted – allowing wood to be burnt in smoke control areas. Delivering 5kW of heat to the room the stove is incredibly simple to operate with one single air control and a removable door handle for safety.

The Country Living Bembridge will be available through selected retailers across the UK & Ireland from August 2015. Visit www.charnwood.com or telephone 0044-1983 537780.

RRP from £1014.00

The Bembridge Charnwood are pleased to announce the NEW Bembridge. A 5kW wood burning stove designed and made on the Isle of Wight.

Named after a famous Island town, close to Charnwood’s headquarters, The Bembridge gives a nod towards a traditional wood burner by engaging with the trend for the decorative yet still retains a modern, classic look.

Bembridge for Country Living €1185 plus vat

“Engineered from cast iron, plate steel and ceramic glass.”

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CW230x297.i

®

charnwood Exceptional British made wood stoves +44 (0) 1983 537780 • www.charnwood.com

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JP Distributors FP.pdf

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07/10/2016

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Esse Ironheart Hunting

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Stove Special

Building Your

HOUSE TO MAKE YOUR HOME Given the choice between buying a house on the market or building your own, many potential homeowners listen to their head instead of their heart and yield to the relative ease of buying an established home.

With the physical and mental exertions of self-building, it’s easy to see why the simpler ‘view, offer, buy’ option can seem more attractive. But those who are committed enough to realise their architectural vision, give themselves the freedom to build and finish it to their own specific needs.

A big incentive behind many self-builds is the desire to live a greener, healthier and more energy efficient lifestyle. While many new builds harness renewable energies to provide heat, light and hot water, energy specialists will assess building plans to advise on how to make them as efficient as possible.

Modern Design And A Green Future

A

nother integral plan to any self-build design is the aspiration for a central heart in the home. For many, this area is usually a large communal space such as the kitchen/dining or living area and a self-build allows for a bespoke space specifically designed for relaxation and the ability to entertain family and friends in comfort and style.

So what better way to give your build its communal heart than to include a woodburning centrepiece in that cosy place where people will naturally gather together? A captivating, real flame will have the desired effect, while giving a beautiful finish and ambiance to the room as well as supplying a carbon neutral form of heat.

With so many stoves on the market, it can be difficult to know which model to choose. The journey to find the right one to fit with your new eco-friendly home however should start with checking out the green credentials and energy efficiencies of the model you’re interested in.

Stovax’s Elise 540 Edge, stovax.com

Classic Authenticity

F

or traditionally styled home renovations—as well as newbuilds—that require a certain level of time-honoured authenticity, the beautifully finished and detailed traditional stoves will seamlessly blend into more conventional or classic interiors.

Cast iron stoves, which are perfectly designed to heat medium to large sized spaces, are perfect for creating a classic look as well as being a great centrepiece to any room. There are wide ranges of manufacturers that create stoves that are designed to fit this desirable look.

Stovax’s Huntingdon 30, stovax.com

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Stove Special

27 Words: Ariana Hardison-Moschopoulou Pics: Stovax

Contemporary Chic

I

f you’re looking for a more modern finish with a touch of sleek minimalism, there are a whole range of contemporary stoves out there which are über-modern that any self-build can seriously benefit from to create that stylish vibe. The recurring trend is to mimic a Nordic look that is seen across many interior magazines for a few years now, and brands such as Dovre will create this aesthetic with ease and will tick all the boxes required for modern living.

Dovre Bold 400 in Matt Black, dovre.co.uk

Firing Your Imagination

O

f course, freestanding stoves and fires are only part of the story. Inset fires can also create an impressive focal point that might suit your project. Some people like to call these hole-in-the-wall fires, where a space is made inside the cavity walls to fit these fires to give you a smooth, more minimalist finish. The one pictured below is a Lotus Unico12 and has a great two sided design, so it can bring even more atmosphere in to the room.

Lotus Unico 12, lotusfires.com

Beyond Solid Fuel

B

ut what are your options if the wood and solid fuel option isn’t for you? The obvious answer is to replace wood for gas. With a varied range of natural gas and LPG fires and stoves to choose from which come in traditional as well as the contemporary styles, there are a wealth of options.

Gazco’s latest large format fire, the Reflex 75T offers an ease of installation that goes hand in hand with any build project. It can be that centrepiece you’ve been looking for with all the ease of a gas fire, giving a natural realism few gas fires can match.

Gazco Reflex 75T Edge with black glass lining, gazco.com

The Electric Alternative

I

f you’re looking for further alternatives to gas or solid fuel, your project could be suited to an electric installation. All electric stoves and fires can be exciting installation alternatives giving rooms and spaces a heating option where it may be difficult or impossible to flue for gas or solid fuel appliances.

Conservatories, studies, even hallways can all benefit from their simple installation as long as a standard plug socket is within reach.

For any self-build or renovation project, there are many solutions to installing a desirable focal point. By installing a solid fuel, gas or electric fire or stove, you combine both form and function, giving you the ultimate in designer chic or

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Yeoman Exe electric, yeoman.co.uk traditional authenticity. You can also be safe in the knowledge you are getting the greener, healthier and more energy efficient lifestyle that fits with your self-build or renovation vision.

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Stove Special

THE WORLD OF STOVES We speak to some leading people in the stove industry to get their thoughts on future trends for stoves

I

t seems that there are stoves, stoves and more stoves everywhere you look these days and the demand for stoves is something that is going to keep on growing over the next number of years as the stove continues to evolve in shape, size, style and in colour.

We’ve asked the experts for their opinions on what the future holds in the world of stoves as well as what trends are shining through.

“There will certainly be a push towards stoves that burn more cleanly and efficiently, not only is this good for the environment but you also burn less fuel and the stove is a lot more controllable.” said

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Brands Supplied

THE FUTURE TRENDS WITHIN

Marketing Director of Charnwood Cedric Wells.

“The other trend that we are seeing is that stoves aren’t just a fireplace or for the living room. People are placing the stove sort of free standing in the room and traditionally stoves have always been seen as black boxes but there are a lot of colour options out there now,’’ added Mr Wells.

“Stoves are becoming pieces of furniture within the room so style wise there is a lot more considered and it means when it is summer time and the stove is not lit the stove can be a piece of furniture. Dark and light grey stoves are becoming very popular because they are

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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Brands Supplied

With impressive looks and independently certified figures, a Stratford Boiler stove is the boiler of choice. Our seven year guarantee, thermostatic control and validated outputs come as standard. Why settle for anything less?

Distributed in Ireland by Micon Distribution Ltd.

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Stove Special

“There will certainly be a push towards stoves that burn more cleanly and efficiently.”

neutral and they go with everything and creams and whites are also becoming very popular,’’ enthused Cedric Wells.

“There is a big shift back to gas and electric because with the fact that a lot

of the new houses are so easy to heat, there is a big move to smaller outputs.

There is also a big push towards wood burning instead of coal burning as burning wood is cleaner and it is more carbon neutral than burning coal,’’

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Stove Special

said Sales Manager, Kieran Burke of Murphy Heating.

“A lot of companies are starting to make their stoves in colours like ice white which has very crisp lines and then there are the traditional colours such as black and grey. Cream is making a big come back and brown is also making a bit of a comeback.

“Fireplaces are back in fashion a bit as well,’’ added Mr Burke.

“You can’t go wrong with the traditional matt black colour for your stove.

If you’re looking for something which is rising in popularity though, Stovax’s Huntingdon, for example as well as the Nordic brands such as Dovre, carry ranges in Ivory enamel and various shades of white for that Scandinavian look, which has been trending over the past few years,’’ said Ariana HardisonMoschopoulou from the Stovax Heating Group.

“Recently Nordic brands such as Dovre have begun offering some of their contemporary stoves in Grey Enamel. This beautiful shade fits almost any interior and offers a stylish alternative to black,’’ added Ms HardisonMoschopoulou.

“The biggest trend at the moment is and it isn’t even a trend is to do with building regulations. A lot of stoves now have to have an external air supply so the air is being drawn in from a pipe out the back or underneath the stove and it isn’t removing any oxygen from the room itself,’’ said Managing Director Ben Phipps in Europeanstovesandfireplaces.ie.

“We have pink and yellow stoves but we haven’t sold any as these coloured stoves don’t sell. The biggest seller is still black because it won’t date,’’ added Mr Phipps.

“In terms of the future of the stove I think it is bright, but people need to put a bit more thought into bringing a stove into their home,’’ said Managing Director of Bell Stoves, Joe Jennings.

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Buying a stove is an investment and if you want to be assured of the very best quality and safety, expert advice, cutting edge stove technology, great design and a super after sales service then the brand of choice is Blacksmith.

Call our Sales team on 051-595003 or 087-2564702 Alternatively visit our website www.blacksmithstoves.ie to see our full range of stoves

Official agent and supplier of Clearview Stoves and Schiedel/ Isokern chimney products.

01 8038088 www.bellstoves.com info@bellstoves.com Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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New Gear

NEW GEAR Oxx Coffeebox Is The World’s Toughest Coffee Maker

T

here are coffee makers, and then there’s the world’s toughest coffee maker. Oxx’s COFFEEBOXX is built “Beyond Rugged” to be the perfect coffee maker for the job site, the RV, the campsite or even the apocalypse.

It’s waterproof, dustproof and spillproof. It has rust resistant hardware and an impact resistant shell. It’s so durable that the crush-proof construction can resist up to 1500lbs.

The rubberised carry handle, fold-up drip tray and 3Ð retractable power cord make it easy to transport anywhere.

The 2.5L removable water tank, thirty second pre-heat, compatibility with any K-cup compatible pods and adjustable cup size (8/10/12 oz) make sure you can deliver a hot cup of coffee to anyone or everyone in no time flat… including the guy or gal that insists on the flavored K-cup options. If all that isn’t enough, there’s a separate hot water dispenser for tea, oatmeal, noodles and more. This coffee maker really is built for the apocalypse.

Price range from: €180 www.oxx.com

MDK9 Dog Haus

D

o you feed your dog artisanal treats? Is Fido’s water bottle only filled with bottle water?

Does your pooch have a wardrobe? If you answered yes to these questions, congratulations, it’s time to meet your new dog house. Joking aside, the MDK9 Dog Haus is sleek as hell. By using the same materials and design elements as some modern homes, RAH:DESIGN and Modern House Numbers created a home for your pooch that looks like it belongs in Architectural Digest. Crafted from Brazilian Teak, powder coated steel, and concrete, the chic abode is outfitted with a memory foam pillow bed and a brushed aluminum name plate. Everything is made in the USA and ready for the most sophisticated pup.

Price range from €3000 www.rahdesign-la.com

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New Gear

33

Google Pixel

T

There’s a lot to say about the Pixel announcement, so we’ll get right to it. It’s a phone designed in every way by Google, meaning the hardware and the software work together and have come out with a stronger showing than any of us expected. Aesthetically, it’s a great looking phone, clearly designed with a ton of care. For you photographers out there who were worried Google wouldn’t be able to compare with the cameras on other phones, don’t be. They have the highest rated camera of any available smartphone with features packed in that’ll guarantee you’re capturing the best images a cell phone can offer. There are also drastic improvements in battery technology as well. With the Pixel, you should be able to get 7 hours of usage after only fifteen minutes of charging. It’s available today for preorder and comes in three colors: Quite Black, Really Blue, and Very Silver (their words, not ours).

Price range from €600

Houses Made From Whisky Vats

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hisky has been responsible for plenty of questionable decisions over the years, but turning the vats it ages in into building materials seems like a great idea. Originally conceived of for the Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland by an American, Roger Douda, with four decades of connections to the site, there are multiple permanent buildings built out of repurposed barrels collected from the Haig distillery in Fife. What started as an exercise in creative recycling evolved into full homes when the plan to build a school or community centre extension was shot down by people in the community. The final products are all houses that are properly designed and legitimately good looking that just so happen to be made with proper whisky barrel materials.

Not for sale

Craftsman Pro Series

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raftsman is one of the go-to names in tools for plenty of reasons, and their toolboxes are just as good. The latest Pro Series toolboxes improve upon everything that makes them great places to store everything from tools and notebooks to pens and projects with the addition of connected Bluetooth Smart Lock technology. Aimed at relieving the stress of losing your keys—which we’ve all done—this new line of connected tool storage includes multiple sizes and shapes of rolling cabinets and chests to fit all your individual requirements. Adding smart features to the lineup hasn’t deterred Craftsman from making one hell of a box either, because each features ball-bearing drawer slides, pro-grade double wall construction, gas struts, casters with toe locks, integrated power outlets (with USB!) and the renowned Craftsman warranty. All of the box options should be available later this year.

Price range from €500 www.craftsman.com

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Stradbrook Lawns

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hen it came to updating a Blackrock home, David O’Shea at ODOS Architects, the practice behind the project took the unique approach of knocking the house down and built and created something special and complete with ‘fins’ to control the light and privacy of the house.

As a replacement dwelling, the concept for this house came about as a result of a planning process which saw the Local Planning Authority

request that the building’s form replicate the shape of the existing pitched roof dwelling on the site.

The concept developed as an exploration of this form. Mr O’Shea sought to create a house that would be in a similar form to neighbouring pitched roofed dwellings but that would be refined and simplified to have a more contemporary expression.

The design was decided upon in 2012 with the 190 square metre house completed in 2014.

Initially, ODOS Architects analysed the prospect

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Stradbrook Lawns

35 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: ODOS Architects

“The design was decided upon in 2012 with the 190 square metre house completed in 2014.”

OLD TO MODERN IN BLACKROCK, CO DUBLIN ODOS Architects were the practice behind this amazing home at Stradbrook Lawns Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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Stradbrook Lawns

of retaining and improving the original structure but it soon became obvious that the most sensible thing to do was to knock the house and rebuild it as it was blatantly obvious that to bring the building up to a modern standard between refurbishing and extending would have been as costly.

The old house had a poor quality of light and space not to mention low floor to ceiling heights as well as a bad layout. The house was quint essentially inefficient and stuck in somewhat of a time warp, which led to ODOS Architects coming on board to analyse the prospect of improving the original property.

Securing from scratch planning permission was a delicate business as the property is located in an idyllic and picturesque part of Dublin. If parts of the old property were retained, the new part of the house would always have been comprised as the house would not have reached the same standard of what the finish product turned out to be. The chief architect that worked on this project was David O’Shea and he had a vision for the way this property was going to look.

ODOS Architects was first established in 2002 and over the last 14 years in business the company has completed some of the most striking additions to Dublin’s residential landscape and in 2014 whilst in the midst of a country being in a recession, ODOS Architects went on to open a London office to meet demand for its expensive residential properties in Britain. Followed by ODOS Architects opening a subsequent office on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan almost two years ago.

Getting back to this Blackrock property which at first glance appears as the black sheep of the street which features traditional homes, but upon closer inspection it is a house that is identical to its counterparts but with the structure reversed. The property has the same intrinsic structure as its neighbours with the forms being expressed differently. One of the home’s most eye catching features or what sets it apart from its neighbours would be the extensive blank elevations and the monotonous use of a dark-grey render.

The property itself is one of a lent texture and visual interest which features fins in front of the glazing at the back This beautifully eye catching property features three bedrooms, a living, kitchen and dining space as well as utility and bathroom amenities. The house also features a 150ft terrace with the interior of the property referred to as ‘’the greatest surprise as the blank elevations on the outside of the property may have given the impression of a dark exterior but that couldn’t be further from the truth.’’

The prinicipal front of the building is external insulation which assisted the house to achieve its admirable A2 energy rating with a self-colour cement render. The building also features a series of fins in front of the glazing at both the back and front of the first-floor level. Each of these fins are made of powder-coated aluminium which match the render. The fins function is not only the appreciation of beauty, the fins also offer privacy as they control the entry of light in to the house. At the front of the property, the fins are inclined in an easterly orientation which allows them to draw in the morning light whilst at the back of the house, the fins have a westerly inclination which brings in the evening light. The afforementioned fins are also set far enough away from the glass that they still allow the relatively unobstructed view of the outside.

This property truly is a modern 21st century home which features a ground and polished concrete floor inside, on the outside a number of sandblasted concrete slabs were put in place whilst assisting to echo the flooring on the inside with the living space featuring a large inset wood-burning stove ensuring that there will always be a warm welcome for anyone who walks in through the front door.

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Stradbrook Lawns

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“Which assisted the house to achieve its admirable A2 energy rating.�

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Car Review

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ith similar dimensions to a city friendly hatchback but with higher roof lines, they are attracting families due to their ease of use, good space for all the extras that come with a growing family and a strong offering from manufacturers.

The Opel Mokka is highly popular within this category, with the sales figures to back it up. It looks like a proper off-roader and its chunky styling gives it an edge over rivals. The driving position is high so you’re positioned with an excellent view of the road ahead and feels more like a midsized SUV. Opel has added a new trio of “whisper” diesel engines to its model lineup. I found the 1.6-litre unit to be both responsive and relatively quiet. Describing it as “whisper” might be ambitious but even with hard acceleration it doesn’t give off much typical noise you would associate with a diesel engine.

The power delivery is smooth and unlike many diesels you aren’t frustrated by sluggish acceleration at low revs followed by a sudden surge once the turbo kicks in. The 0-100km/h time is 9.9 seconds, which is more than quick enough for most buyers. Opel claims 65.7mpg and that seems entirely plausible based on my week driving the Mokka.

The engine is quiet but what’s it like on the inside? Well it’s quite pleasant actually. Our model came with 18 inch multi-spoke alloys and it didn’t feel uncomfortable on the road as I expected it might considering such a large alloy.

Road noise is not much of a problem although at high speeds there can be some noise inside the cabin but nothing over bearing. The new Corsa and Astra have improved interiors over their previous incarnations, but the Mokka’s interior layout is based on an older dash design so it still has that cluttered-look to the centre console. However, it’s very well-made and durable, and the steering wheel mounted audio controls fitted as standard simplify things a little.

Space in the front of the Mokka is generally fine and two adults can sit in comfort in the front of the Mokka, because head and legroom are both generous.

However, the door bins aren’t very useful, and the cubbies in the centre console are tiny, but the Mokka makes up for this with two sizeable glove boxes in front of the passenger. Back seats are positioned high to give extra legroom but not huge headroom. Sitting three adults will be a bit of a tight squeeze but three children won’t be a problem. The Mokka packs a 356 litre boot. The boot has been well thought out though. The boot floor is in line with the boot lip, so there’s nothing to lift heavy items over, while the boot opening is decently wide and tall. The space is also nicely square and includes practical touches such as bag hooks and a small storage compartment in the side.

All models come with a digital radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and at least a CD 450 six-speaker sound system as standard. Even the base stereo is compatible with MP3 files.

Opels neat intelliLink CD 600 system is an option on all of the Exclusiv, SE and Limited Edition models, bringing with it a seven-inch colour monitor built into the dash. The even more impressive Navi 950 IntelliLink package with street-level mapping costs €1,250 as an option.

At launch the Mokka was let down by a range of old engines, yet things improved greatly with the arrival of a 1.4-litre turbo petrol unit and Opels 1.6-litre CDti ‘Whisper’ diesel, which is now the engine to have. Our model was the 1.6 litre CDTi and with 136hp available it’s more than enough for a family SUV. The 1.6CDTi in SC trim is priced at €25,495, which adds alloy wheels, parking sensors and Bluetooth. The top of the range SE I was driving has a price of €28,245. It comes very well equipped with additional navigation, heated seats and steering wheel, leather seat covers, rear privacy glass and Opel OnStar for 2016 models. Availability of the 1.4 turbo petrol opens up at SC grade, with a list price of €23,495.

It isn’t difficult to see why the Opel Mokka is a big seller. It ticks all the right boxes of looks, comfort, practicality and the new 1.6-litre ‘whisper’ engine is hard to go wrong with. If you’re looking for a family vehicle I would highly recommend visiting your local dealer for a test drive of the Opel Mokka.

Technical Specification Engine Size 1.6 SE CDTi Fuel Type Diesel Power 136hp Torque 320Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 9.9 seconds Top Speed 191 km/h CO2 Emissions 114g/km Road Tax €200 per year (A4) Base Price €20,995 Our Test Model €28,245

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Car Review

39 Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Home & Build Staff

OPEL

MOKKA

The SUV sector is big business and the smaller sized models are doing phenomenal sales.

“I found the 1.6-litre unit to be both responsive and relatively quiet.�

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Joe Fallon

JOE FALLON DESIGN

Joe Fallon Designs motto is simple: the company designs energy efficient buildings with strong emphasis on natural light, at a cost that is reasonable, using builders that are respectful of other people’s homes for the duration of the build.

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n recent years, the practice was shortlisted for the acclaimed CMG Building and Design Awards under the Architectural Practice of the Year. This follows on from an open competition to all architectural practices in Ireland with the judging panel consisting of the Professor of Architecture in DIT Bolton Street, James Horan, Professor of Architecture in UCD, Hugh Campbell and President of the International Construction Project Management Association, Dr. Louis Gunnigan.

The practice also won a Social Contribution award from the Wexford Chamber of Commerce in 2013 for designing a new playground and park in Templeudigan in County Wexford. In 2014, the practice was shortlisted for the final of the Wexford Chamber of Commerce Green Energy Award for the practice’s contribution to sustainable design and implementation of best practices in renewable energy source.

Last April, Mr Fallon was invited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists to contribute to the consultative forum in the Custom House with the Minister of State for Environment Denis Naughten and senior stakeholders within the construction industry to review the current building regulations SI.9 BCAR.

Earlier this year, Joe Fallon Design won the Local Authority Management Agency Award for Best Public Park for the park and playground that was designed by Joe Fallon Design in Templeudigan.

In July, Joe Fallon’s family home in Ballywilliam, County Wexford featured in this magazine as well as being the cover property. The house which dated back to the 1700’s and whilst the main building was derelict, the out buildings were fine. The house was of a cottier style meaning that the house was a cottage with a low ceiling and no windows. Having kept on drawing the home he had envisaged for his family, with double height ceilings throughout the house as well as some personal touches, Mr Fallon certainly turned what was a run down, derelict property in to the perfect family home for himself, his wife and their children.

In this edition of the magazine, we feature an extension to a house in Knocklyon which saw Eric Stilwell from Joe Fallon Design working and overseeing a project that has made an old house feel like it is brand new!

Turn to page 44 to read that feature.

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04652RO

Find a registered gas installer at

Find a registered gasorinstaller rgii.ie rgii.ie call 1850at 454 454 Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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44

Old To New

“The standard energy rating we aim for when designing is BER A3 or better.”

MAKING AN

OLD HOUSE NEW IN DUBLIN A modern extension in Knocklyon

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odernising a house doesn’t always seem to be the easiest thing to do but when you have the likes of the wonderful team from Joe Fallon Architectural Design assisting you along the way, it makes things that little bit easier.

In recent months, Eric Stilwell who is a Architectural Technologist worked on an extension on a property in Knocklyon with the home owners having a clear vision as to what they wanted for their home in terms of design, layout and functionality.

“The extension to this house was finished in April of this year. Without the extension the house was a big one but it is even bigger now! The problem

with the house and reason the clients got the extension put on was due to the fact that there was a problem with the orientation of the spaces,’’ explained Architectural Technologist over the project, Eric Stilwell.

“The living spaces were on the north side of the house facing their neighbours and even at that the living space was kind of boxed in, there was very little day light getting in and there was no view. The house was a bit disconnected. On the other side of the house where the extension is now, there was a glass conservatory which they never used which was a waste of space.

“The home owners didn’t need the space but the extension was more to turn the house around whilst bringing the living space out as well as being able to

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Old To New

45 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Eric Stilwell

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Old To New

“The thermal efficiency of glazing we use is a u-value of 1.2W/m2K, but this can go up depending on the amount of glazing verses floor area.”

enjoy the views of the mountains and their lovely garden,’’ added Mr Stilwell.

“We, the practice got involved with this project as the clients found our details in the local newspaper and they made contact with Joe which led to Joe going out and did our usual consultation with them whilst discussing a design and a layout which may have worked well for them. I was then asked

by Joe to send the clients on some previous examples of the work we do and then the clients gave us the go ahead from there.

“Work on the project would have started early last year. The basic

construction method of the extension was concrete hollow blocks with 100mm Xtratherm insulation to the inside. The roof is made up of quilted fibreglass insulation between the roof joists, 50mm rigid insulation to the underside, while the edge is clad in zinc. We worked quite hard to get the roof to be the right thickness visually, as the pitch meant it was treated as a flat roof and had to be vented in a certain way,’’ explained Eric.

“Fibreglass roofs are suitable for flat roofs and very, very shallow pitches.

Fibreglass is a continous membrane and you can form the gutters out of it

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Old To New

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Dublin office: 01 4904327

www.vindrvs.com Manor Ave, Wainsfort Grove, Terenure, Dublin 6 NatFibreglass_H&B_HalfPage_205x120mm_PRINT.pdf

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Old To New as well. Fibreglass can be coloured to pretty much any colour you want. It is a flexible material and it comes with a 30 year guarantee depending on the insulation obviously.

“Deciding on how much insulation you want to put into your house is a difficult balance. Putting in huge amounts of insulation doesn’t always benefit you we usually find and especially in renovations, if you have a cold brick wall that you want to insulate for the first time, it is the first bit of insulation that makes a big difference, after that if you increase the insulation it doesn’t necessarily increase at the same rate in terms of the thermal performance,’’ explained Mr Stilwell.

“It is definitely the first bit of insulation that makes the biggest difference and after that it kind of levels off. A good rating that we usually aim for is an BER A3 rating.

“The other important aspect of upgrading existing houses is cold bridging.

At various points in the house there will be areas that are more difficult to insulate, especially around doors and windows and in the roof or attic. This can create a little pathway for the cold to seep in, which can have a detrimental effect over the whole building and undo some of the good insulating work being done in other areas,’’ imparted Eric.

“The glazing is another vital aspect of the thermal performance rating that needs to be addressed, and we usually aim to use a 1.2W/m2K u-value window or better. The ratio of glazing to floor area is dictated by the building regulations, and the required thermal performance goes up as the level of glazing increases.

“The clients absolutely love their house now, they are delighted with it and they only wish that they had done it a few years ago.’’

“From the very beginning of the project, the clients took a very hands on approach to it. They have lived in the house for the last 30 or 40 years and they have done work on it in the past but this extension is the final phase of really turning the house into a family home and it is where the clients are going to live for the rest of their lives,’’ said Eric.

“The client’s daughters also gave their input into the project on occasion as to what they would like and wouldn’t like in terms of maybe their enjoyment of the house in years to come,’’ he enthused.

“I’m very proud of the project and how it came together. The project was a team effort and the clients put in a lot of their own expertise,’’ added Eric Stilwell.

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT:

WINDOWS:

Eric Stilwell Joe Fallon Architectural Design, 1A Ryland Street, Bunclody, County Wexford 05393 77633 www.joefallon.com

Mike Bonner Vindr VS Ltd, Terenure, Dublin 6W, County Dublin 01 4904327 www.vindrvs.com

BUILDER:

FIBREGLASS ROOF:

Brian Storey Cedarwalk Developments Limited 086 8512719

Liam Storey Nationwide Fibreglass, Garryhinch, Portarlington, County Offaly 05786 38135 or 086 605 5018 www.nationwidefibreglass.ie or info@nationwidefibreglass.ie

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Advert sel

BUILDING FOR GENERATIONS AN INTEGRAL PART OF

BUILDING HOMES IN IRELAND SINCE 1936

+353 (0)59 863 1316

www.tegral.com Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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Tegral

TEGRAL CELEBRATES 80 YEARS With New Brand And Logo

Tegral, a market leader in roofing and Ireland’s only manufacturer of fibre cement roof slates, recently celebrated 80 years in business by unveiling a stunning new corporate brand that captures the rich history of the company and reflects its ambitious vision for the future.

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ince first establishing its manufacturing base in Athy in 1936, Tegral has made a significant contribution to the Irish construction industry and now employs 150 people across its operations.

Tegral’s rebranding represents its successful transition to a market-leading company that’s significantly evolved beyond its roof slate heritage; the business now offers a wide and diverse catalogue of products

that span fibre cement slates as well as a comprehensive range of metal roofing, cladding and flooring sytems designed to the highest international standards and purposed for modern renovations, selfbuilds, commercial, industrial and agricultural construction.

About Tegral’s new brand The new Tegral logo signifies a fresh and confident visual identity with clean

“Tegral’s new tagline is ‘Building for Generations’” Home & Build Autumn 2016

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Tegral

and contemporary lines that perfectly positions Tegral into the future, and beyond. The logo is made up of two strong colours; a brand new slate grey colour underpins the company’s intentions to continue to innovate and break new boundaries in its relentless focus on quality. The red is carried through from the previous Tegral logo, and serves as a tribute to its history and 80 years in business. Cleverly hidden within the new Tegral logo are angles of 10° and 70° to reflect the minimum and maximum roof pitch, + 90° angles to reflect cladding and the other brand offerings. This hidden design feature shows how dedicated Tegral are to providing a top class service, proving they go the extra mile to ensure perfection.

Tegral’s new tagline is “Building for Generations”, is carefully nuanced to draw on Tegral’s unique and rich heritage, while also projecting its commitment to the future.

Speaking about the 80th anniversary and the milestone rebrand, Paddy Kelly, Managing Director of Tegral said, “Our 80th anniversary is a proud landmark for us as a team and as a business that’s survived and grown through three recessions and countless other challenges. Our new brand reflects who we are today; we are an ambitious, progressive and forwardlooking company, but our team remain grounded and loyal to the heritage that has served us with distinction these past 80 years.

“Our people are Tegral’s greatest asset - they are the lifeblood of our business and have been instrumental in our survival. Our success today is a testament to their hard work, passion and their shared commitment to build for generations.

“I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our team, and also to our valued self-build customers and suppliers who have shown tremendous loyalty and service to Tegral down through the years. Their support for Tegral, the only Irish manufacturer of fibre-cement roof slates, has allowed us grow and develop into a market leader that is recognised internationally for our relentless focus on quality and innovation. The secret to our success

51

is simple; we produce the best quality roofing and cladding products to the market, and we continue to invest significantly in innovation and R&D, ensuring that we continue to manufacture to the highest international standards and with operational excellence”, Kelly added.

Market-leading innovation, including the successful launch of the Tegral Academy in 2015 and the introduction of transformational product innovations such as Tegral Thrutone Endurance, Vertigo and Agribild Plus, all serve to pursue Tegral’s mission of retaining its position as the leading supplier of roofing and cladding products in the Irish market and differentiate the brand as it looks to the future with ambition and confidence Member of ETEX Tegral is a member of the Etex Group since 1988. Etex is an industrial group that produces and markets the highest quality building materials and systems across the globe. The group comprises of 99 companies and 120 factories, spanning across 42 countries. They employ 17,500 people globally. As part of this international group, Tegral benefits from the best technical research available globally and the financial strength to continue investment in Tegral’s Irish operation.

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Greentec

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his property shares a coastline with uninspired amounts of one-off rural architecture but what differentiates the property in question is the fact that it is a new barn-inspired passive house with the home owner taking inspiration from the local vernacular whilst being the perfect home.

“I met the home owner at the Simon Open Door which is an annual event where architects give consultations to members of the public and they (the architects) donate their fees to the Simon Community,’’ Architect Lester Naughton explains as to how he became involved with the project.

“When the client approached me, there was already an existing 1960s or 1970s bungalow / holiday home on the site which was pretty dire. Decoratively the house wasn’t bad, it was a house with no heating system in it, basically no insulation and for a site that had great potential with fantastic sea views, you could hardly see anything from it as it (the existing house) was kind of hollow in the ground.

“The home owner gave me the freedom required for the design of the house whilst building it to the passive house standard. She was keen on a warm and energy efficient home but she didn’t insist on a passive house,’’ added Mr Naughton.

“The construction was pretty straight forward and that was done within, in or around nine months. I think the client is pretty happy with the house. This type of house would certainly be fine for most families but to the specification a lot of people build houses now, (this) is a small house.’’

This property gives a misleading impression as to just how much space there is, as downstairs in the house there are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a utility room whilst upstairs there is the master bedroom, a bathroom and a small sitting room with a half kitchen on a mid-level between the ground and first floor.

The kitchen extends all of the way up to the roof with a row of feature lights sitting in a gap between the

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Greentec

53 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Gerard Conneely

“The home owner gave me the freedom to pursue my own vision for the house.”

A BEAUTIFUL BARN IS

THE PERFECT HOME IN GALWAY! A beautiful 113 square metre detached two-storey split level timber framed house in South Connemara overlooks an area known locally as Cois Fharraige in County Galway.

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Greentec

white-painted walls and the vaulted OBS ceiling.

From the kitchen, the gargantuan Nordan triple-glazed timber aluminum doors face south across Galway Bay to the Burren. The aforementioned doors open out on to a timber deck with a ramp from this leading down into the back garden which pleased Mr Naughton’s wish to raise the living spaces while keeping them connected to the garden.

As a timber frame building it will cool down faster than a masonry building with the thermal masses of the exposed concrete floors downstairs helping to soak up any excess heat. Other than the polished concrete, one of the main materials that can be noticed inside the property is the exposed OSB which is used for both the ceiling and staircases.

The frame of the house was built by Irish Eco Homes and it features 220mm of mineral wool between the studs, plus rigid insulation boards inside and outside whilst the roof contains 400mm of pumped cellulose.

The house is for the most part heated by a Nilan Compact P unit which

combines heat recovery ventilation with a small air-source heat pump with the heat pump providing both hot water and space heating. The priority space heating is done so through a 1.5kW post heater in the supply air of the ventilation system, then to towel radiators in the bathroom all of which are thermostat and timer controlled.

“The client was brave enough to pursue an unusual vision for the house.

I think the reason why a lot of people are being drawn towards designing a barn-type house or converting their house in to a barn-style is because they have large volumes on the inside of the house and they have large openings,’’ enthused Lester.

“This is probably my favourite property to have worked on in my time in Ireland as an Architect over the last 18 years or so and it is the house that I would most like to be my own,’’ added a laughing Mr Naughton.

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Greentec

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“One of the main materials that can be noticed inside the property is the exposed OSB.�

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Greentec

CONTACT LIST ARCHITECT:

Lester Naughton Architect Ltd Drimmavouhaun, Moycullen, County Galway 091-868679 www.lesternaughtonarchitect.com or lesternaughton@gmail.com MAIN CONTRACTOR:

GreenTec Ecological Homes Limited Main Street, Craughwell, County Galway 091- 846703 087-2930793 www.greentec.ie or info@greentec.ie TIMBER FRAME:

Irish Eco Homes Tubber, County Clare 091-633350 086-8333350 www.irishecohomes.ie or info@irishecohomes.ie STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:

Seamus Glacken Consulting Engineers 41 Pearse Street, Ballina, County Mayo 096-72997 087-9974422 www.glackenengineers.com BER:

Architecture Energy Limited Unit 18, Oranglen, Oranmore, County Galway 091-440163

www.architectureenergy.ie or info@ architectureenergy.ie

+35342 969 8000 www.kingspan.com

MECHANICAL CONTRACTOR:

THERMAL BREAKS AND PIR INSULATION:

Western Energy Systems Cahertymore, Athenry, County Galway Donal Rabbitt 086-8439784 Paul Rabbitt 086-7605304 www.wesenergy.ie

Quinn Building Products 235 Ballyconnell Road, Derrylin, County Fermanagh BT92 9GP 08000 322 122 (UK) 1800 322 122 (ROI) www.quinn-buildingproducts.com info@quinn-buildingproducts.com

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR:

F & H Electrical AIRTIGHTNESS TESTING:

2Eva.ie Carlow Gateway Business Centre Athy Road, County Carlow 05991-69121 087-9871979 www.2eva.ie or info@2eva.ie AIRTIGHTNESS PRODUCTS:

Partel Passive Building Supplies 17 Claregalway Corporate Park, Claregalway, County Galway 0818-333355 www.partel.ie MINERAL WOOL INSULATION:

Isover/Knauf PHENOLIC INSULATION:

Kingspan Group PLC Dublin Road, Kingscourt, County Cavan

WINDOWS AND DOORS:

NorDan Ireland Bluebell Industrial Estate, Bluebell, Dublin 12 01-4600210 www.nordan.ie HEAT PUMP AND VENTILATION:

Nilan Ireland Ballylahive, Abbeydorney, Tralee, County Kerry 087-9798361 www.nilanireland.ie or info@nilan.ie STOVE:

Murphy Heating Gort Road, Dungory West, Kinvara, County Galway 091-637159 www.murphyheating.com

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Greentec

E: info@greentec.ie

Main Street, Craughwell, Co. Galway T: 091-846703

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W:www.greentec.ie

Tubber Co. Clare

Passive timber frame that won't cost the earth.

TEL 091-633350

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Kitchen Feature

W

ith the Christmas period fast approaching, many people are thinking about Christmas dinner, who is hosting Christmas Day festivities, planning Christmas parties at home, what way they want their house to look throughout the festive season and beyond as well planning on modernising their home or certain parts of it such as the kitchen.

From the days of solid wood and dark oak kitchens in the 1970’s to the modern styles and trends of today which encompass a variety of bright colours, fashionable trends, modern twists as well as it being the room that has become the ‘social hub’ in the majority of households.

Unlike in earlier years when this room was described as one of the ‘undesirable rooms’ or ‘places’ to frequent sure have become more elegant and refined over time.

Instead of welcoming guests into the living room, the kitchen is the place we gather friends or conduct business.

Homeowners today are demanding large kitchen plans with plenty of space for baking, cooking and hosting. Considering how important the “trophy” kitchen is for today’s homeowners, it’s amazing to think that not long ago, kitchens were one of the least desirable rooms in the home.

As homes begin to get busier around this time of year in the lead up to Halloween followed by Christmas, everyone that comes into the house or that resides in the house tends to spend a lot of time there eating, drinking, talking, socialising and in some cases chilling out in there. There is nothing nicer than not necessarily having a top of the range kitchen staring back at you but rather bright colours, individual touches and snazzy appliances. In terms of where to go for appliances which are sure to stand out from the crowd, Liebherr’s BluPerformance Range offers a whole new dimension in freshness.

“Liebherr revolutionised the refrigerator and freezer market with its impressive new BluPerformance range. Advancements include increased net capacity of 20%, greater energy efficiency, enhanced performance, quieter operation and first class sleek design,’’ explained Sales and Marketing Manager with NAA, Laragh Hickey.

“The kitchen is the place we gather friends or conduct business.”

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Kitchen Feature

59 Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Webpress

MODERNISING YOUR KITCHEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS The kitchen is where it is at..

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Kitchen Feature

“All BluPerformance Appliances should range between A+++ and A+++/ minus 20% energy efficiency. Appliances are equipped with an easy to use, touch activated panel on the door of the appliance which offers maximum daily convenience, energy saving programs and food storage tips, to name a few.

“Also, with Liebherr’s intergrated SmartDevice technology, you can benefit from greater convenience, security and service of your Liebherr refrigerator or freezer even when you’re on the go,’’ added Ms Hickey.

“All BluPerformance units are pre-equipped for easy installation of the technology which will be available in Ireland from early 2017.

“Liebherr’s BioFresh stood out in the BluPerformance Models with significantly larger BioFresh drawers, intergrated LED lighting and flexibility between the HydroSafe and DrySafe functions to enhance food freshness,’’ enthused Laragh.

“Liebherr have also launched a new BioCool Box, available in the BluPerformance range. BioCool offers an enhanced vegetable drawer where the humidity is controlled giving a more optimal storage temperature,’’ concluded Laragh Hickey.

Not everyone has the budget to completely gut, modernise or decorate their kitchen but with these simple hints, tips and words of advice, modernising your kitchen ahead of the festive season may be one of the best things you’ve done this year.

“I suppose when it comes to modernising your kitchen in the run up to Christmas it’s important that you get in early because the next two to three months it literally is the busiest time of the year for kitchen companies and cabinet makers,’’ said Chris Brennan of Longwood Custom Cabinets.

“It doesn’t really matter what your budget is as you can get a really nice kitchen on any budget but the main thing is to shop around and make sure

that you go with the right people. The materials that are used in high end kitchens are predominantly the same materials that are used in lower end kitchens.

“If you have got a small budget there are plenty of places where you can go and get a decent kitchen rather than actively just going somewhere and getting a mediocre kitchen for a cheap price,’’ added Mr Brennan.

“If you’re working off a budget, sometimes it is better to go to a cabinet maker rather than go to a kitchen company. A cabinet maker will make you a bespoke kitchen but it won’t be priced the same as if it were to come from a kitchen company,’’ explained Chris Brennan.

On the other hand, if you haven’t got the time to modernise before the festive period, the tips below will give you a head start on the trends that are creeping in.

Over the last 12 months, soft, muted colours have become increasing popular; though white motifs will still dominate, everything from backsplashes to cabinets will be done in charcoal, greys, pale blue, pale green, pale yellow and pastel colours will all be used and will continue to be very popular for kitchens.

“Not everyone has the budget to completely gut, modernise or decorate their kitchen.”

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Mirrored backsplashes, brass accessories and high-gloss surfaces aren’t dead by a long shot, but these features will bring an elegance not seen in the ’80s and will be an incorporation of a variety of natural materials to remove the plastic look of that era and making your kitchen not only dazzle people at Christmas but all year around.

This year, metal assumed a more dominant role in kitchen aesthetics and trump wood as the range hood of choice. Wood mantle hoods are being replaced with metal hoods or ones that are a combination of wood and metal.

If you’re planning to follow suit with this year’s fixation on neutral colour tones with a metal hood introducing a burst of contrast into your kitchen, you will be bang on trend for another year or so to come as this trend shows no sign of going away anytime soon.

In terms of getting ahead of the posse, a big trend for 2017 is going to be the introduction of colourful combinations between clear and monochrome tones as well as the decreased usage of wooden decors and claddings.

Forget about a jet black heart, a jet black kitchen which sounds like a dungeon but actually looks quite Carrie Bradshaw is going to be another trend that is set to grow over the next number of months and they do say to stand out you have to be unique. Can you imagine sitting around the kitchen table on Christmas Day within a black kitchen?! Black kitchen cabinets are set to become a focal point in any kitchen or in any kitchen design. This is most definitely a brave, bold statement or choice to make but it is a contemporary design full of ingenuity, class and style.

If you’re really brave you could of course go for a white kitchen or a partially white kitchen. White is here to stay for the next however how long but due to its well entertained and explored nature, a white kitchen alone will not be enough. To make your ‘winter wonderland’ type kitchen stand out or to enhance its attractiveness, try to include some bright colours like reds, oranges and yellows to get you through this dull and dreary Autumn coming

Longwood

close to winter period. Incorporating colours like this in to your kitchen doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg either as it can be done by including some geometrical shapes or simple fairy lights and accessories that you would pick up quite cheaply.

Another trend which has begun to creep in to the kitchen of late is fresh plants. An entire green area has been dedicated to a number of kitchens in some homes, but just think how cool would a few potted plants look in situ on a window sill or work space in the run up to and over the festive period. These looks and touches can be achieved by simply tying some red ribbon around the flower pot and putting some fake snow on the leaves of the plant if you so wish and voila your kitchen is slowly becoming a ‘winter wonderland.’

In the kitchen sinks and countertops trend the most “hot” application is the solid surface countertop configuration from a single material like Corian. This technique creates a visual image of a seamlessly floating surface of a single volume where the sink, and the countertop are smoothly connected, without visual edges. This is set to be a big trend throughout 2017.

Kitchens | Bedrooms Alcove Units | Bespoke Furniture

Custom Cabinets We specialise in the manufacture & fitting of bespoke fitted furniture solutions.

We work closely with clients providing a full design service.

Longwood Custom Cabinets Ltd, Peamount Yard 2, Lock Road, Newcastle, Co.Dublin T: 089 434 3680 E: longwoodcustomcabinets@gmail.com Company Reg: 58036

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The Kitchen Sink Ltd has a new showroom in Unit 3 Knockmitten Industrial Park, Knockmitten Lane, Dublin 12 It is just a couple of minutes from the Red Cow Round About. See our website www.thekitchensink.ie for directions, or telephone us on 01-4097723.

We have beautiful Topmount, Flushmount and Undermount sinks to suit the modest budget and also specialist items to please even the most discerning tastes

European Style and Quality We are the Irish distributors for the high-end Kludi tap range from Germany, the Suter stainless steel sink range from Switzerland, the Alveus stainless steel sink range from Slovenia, the Elleci undermount composite quartz sinks from Italy in black, white and titanium grey, and we are an official distributor for high-end KWC taps again from Switzerland.

Alveus Line Maxim 10, 1.5 bowl sink with accessories

Athena Tap - Ideal for Low Water Pressure

International Collection We are the Irish distributors for a diverse range of sinks and taps under our own Saphire Collection, Topmount Composite Quatrz sinks from Carysil are an example and are available in five colours: Black, Grey, White, Coffee and Champagne

Kludi L-INE Pull-Out Tap

Carysil Sink

Unit 3, Knockmitten Industrial Park, Knockmitten Lane, Dublin 12.

Tel: 01-4097723, 01-4097735 www.thekitchensink.ie sales@thekitchensink.ie

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HOME & BUILD DVD’S DVD001

€20

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€20

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€55

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*All prices exclude P&P €4.95*

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€20

History Of Buildings DVD DVD011

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Self Build 1 DVD

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DVD003

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Health & Safety DVD €20

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Easyscreed & Superquilt Insulation DVD DVD008

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Roofing 2 DVD

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€20

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Roofing 1 DVD DVD015

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For more information on each product, visit www.homeandbuild.ie/shop

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Malahide Home

A

family home in Malahide which was completed in 2015 may have involved renegotiating the land boundaries to provide a site suitable for a new infill family home met with the end result being one of a modern day compact home which is designed to maximise solar gain in the picturesque setting of Malahide.

“With this project we basically renegotiated

or swapped the site from one neighbour to another as one neighbour had the whole front of the site and the other neighbour had the whole back of the site so we asked the neighbour to give us a bit of the front and the other neighbour for a bit of the back to create a site that would work,’’ explained Architect over the project, Derek Trenaman.

“We worked on this project for this client first and when this project was finished we were

asked to design a house for the neighbour so we’re just finishing the second house. The same contractor built the houses and they are both finished with the same level of detail which is nice.

“The house is a timber framed house with external insulation cladding Canadian Western Red Cedar. These materials would be good to build a house like this because the house could be completed faster as the timber frame could

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Malahide Home

DREAMS IN MALAHIDE

Derek Trenaman looks back on working on this new build property

Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Sarah Trenaman

A house of hope, determination and

67

“You would call this house near passive standard.�

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Malahide Home

be constructed off site, it arrived sealed and water tight effectively within 14 days,’’ explained Derek.

“The house then gets finished on site. For instance, the windows would have been pre-ordered so all of the windows pretty much arrived in the same week. The reason for the windows been pre-ordered is so that the house is made airtight and sealed as quickly as possible.

“You would call this house near passive standard. It has a heat recovery ventilation system, an air to water heating system and U values to 0.15. With

this house, you say that the average cost was 2,000 per square metre. It is a beautiful house,’’ he enthused.

“The home owner only had to put the heating on in December and January of last year for maybe an hour to two hours a day because it retains the heat.

The heat recovery system recycles 92% of the heat in the house which is generated from body heat, appliances and solar gains. The air is recycled continuously; the heat is recycled by the exhaust air heating the incoming air.

“This project is a family home, the client originally lived on the corner

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“It is a three-bedroom house with a kitchen, sitting and a dining area.�

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Malahide Home house of this road but the client sold the house and we worked very hard to get her planning permission and that took a few years but we got her there in the end,’’ added Mr Trenaman.

“It is a three-bedroom house with a kitchen, sitting and a dining area. To be honest for such a tiny house it has far more space in it than it really should, it’s only 125 square metres and it has lots of double height spaces.

“The house is a very, very energy efficient one. I don’t even know if she puts the heating on,’’ said a chirpy Derek.

“Typically when you’re working on a project like this you would be expecting it to take between 18 months and two years from planning permission straight through to the end but this one took a bit longer, I think it was almost three years in the process. When you get a house like this one, the house is definitely worth the wait!

“Having got to know the client very well over the years, this project was a bit of an emotional one to work on. When you’re working on a lot of projects and there is a quick turnaround, you don’t really get to know the client but with this project, we got to know the client and her family very well,’’ enthused Mr Trenaman.

“The client is absolutely thrilled with the house and we would still be in fairly regular contact with her. The clients original dream would have been to have had a big Georgian mansion but she’s very happy now with her very modern house and if we designed the Georgian house for her now she wouldn’t have it.

“This project was a great experience and journey,’’ he added.

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Windows

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K&K WINDOWS LTD. K&K Windows Ltd is an Irish owned Company established since 1995.

I

n this time we have rapidly grown in to one of Ireland’s largest fabricators and installers of uPVC & Aluminium products for both residential and commercial products. All our products are fabricated at our state of the art factory in Craanford, just outside Gorey in Wexford, Ireland.

Your Design, Your Home Our Staff are completely and utterly committed to the best design and quality. We offer an extensive range of bespoke framed glazing products providing a cost effective and reliable solution to your needs. Our extensive knowledge of the current building regulations can help you create the perfect window, door or screen. Let our Sales Reps talk you through your dream to make a house a home.

We Create from Design to Finish (No Middle Man) Our in house team comprising of Sales, CAD Technicians and Production Personnel are highly experienced in the commercial glazing industry with many years experience with various glazing facilities. We will work tirelessly

to ensure you get the very best of the best.

All hardware used by K&K Windows Ltd are sourced from Europe’s leading suppliers. All glass used by K&K Windows Ltd is sourced from Ireland’s largest suppliers. With 72 different types of glass K&K can offer a wide range of glass options with workable lead times, K&K are leading the way in insulating glass by offering “Vistatherm Elite” a Low E energy efficient double and triple glazed units, and for extra care a treble seal. K&K Windows offer a much lower U-Value.

Rejuvenate your Home We have completed many small to large projects over the years and one of our more familiar projects was the K Club completed in 2006 and the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey completed in 2006. All our expert and highly trained fitting team are impeccable and courteous in their work.

We have completed many small to large projects over the years and one of our more familiar projects was The K Club completed in 2006 the Amber Springs Hotel in Gorey completed in 2006.

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE WE SELL MANUFACTURE, AND INSTALL ALUMINIUM AND UPVC WINDOWS DOORS AND CONSERVATORIES

35% SALE NOW ON

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GRANTS AND TAX BACK SCHEMES AVAILABLE VISIT OUR NEW AND EXCLUSIVE MUST SEE SHOWROOM AND HAVE A ONE ON ONE CHAT WITH OUR EXPERTS. K&K WINDOWS LTD CRAANFORD GOREY CO. WEXFORD

FOR A PROMPT FREE ESTIMATE PLEASE CONTACT US 0539383526

FREEPHONE 1800 250 260 WEB www.kkwindows.ie EMAIL info@kkwindows.ie OPENING HOURS 9AM - 5:30PM MONDAY - FRIDAY | 10AM-2PM SATURDAY | ANY OTHER TIME BY APPOINTMENT Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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Flogas LPG

Make the Smart Move to

FLOGAS LPG OR NATURAL GAS Join Neven Maguire and Kerry GAA legend Darragh Ó Sé who’ve made their smartest move yet by switching from oil to Flogas LPG for their homes.

Neven said, “I’m so pleased that I made the switch from oil to gas heating.

We now have a cleaner and greener way of heating our home. It was so quick and easy, and I just love the control we get from cooking with gas.”

Flogas LPG and Flogas Natural Gas are already in thousands of homes throughout Ireland efficiently providing heating, hot water, cooking, gas fires and even gas tumble-drying.

remote monitoring system means you can rest assured that you’ll never run out of LPG. You’ll enjoy the convenience of our easy monthly payment plans as well.

There has been a recent surge in the incidence of theft from residential oil tanks, which has left many owners out of pocket. With Flogas LPG, homeowners have peace of mind that their energy supply is secure and safe from theft.

LPG

Flogas Superser Heaters

If your home is not on the natural gas grid, Flogas has a very special offer if you are converting from oil to gas or installing a gas heating system for the very first time. Sign up to Flogas LPG and you’ll not only get 1,200 litres FREE, we’re also offering a two year interest-free loan of up to €3,000 to help with the cost of switching from oil to LPG (terms and conditions apply).

If you switch, you’ll benefit from our price freeze promise for the first 12 months and there’s also an easy payment plan available.

Customers also receive a free site survey, the removal and disposal of any existing oil tank and full system testing after installation.

Your LPG is conveniently stored in a tank beside your house and our

For homeowners who want instant heat that’s both stylish and useful, Flogas supplies two very contemporary looking and stylish mobile heaters, the Superser Radiant and Superser Catalytic. In particular, the Superser Catalytic burns without a flame and has lower touch temperatures, making it even safer. Both models are fitted with easy glide castors, which allows for trouble-free moving from room to room. They are extremely useful as an instant, economic and portable way to ‘spot-heat’ a room quickly, as many customers find it far cheaper than turning on the central heating for an hour or two.

Neven Maguire switched from oil to Flogas LPG for his home

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Flogas LPG

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Natural Gas If your home is already on the natural gas grid, Flogas Natural Gas offers discounts of up to 20% for new customers switching to Flogas for a fixed 12 month contract. The discount percentage is based on our standard gas unit rate as at 1st February 2016 and with the direct debit payment option. There is a discount of 7% available for non-direct debit customers. (terms and conditions apply).

Flogas also provides payment plans to its LPG and Natural Gas customers at no extra cost to spread bills over 12 months.

Call us anytime and discover how much Flogas can change your life for the better. Contact Customer Service on 041-9831041 or www.flogas.ie

A family enjoying some quality time in a kitchen warmed by a Flogas Superser Catalytic heater.www.flogas.ie

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Self-Build Tips

FINANCING YOUR SELF-BUILD

A self-build can be daunting but armed with the right support it can lead to your dream home.

T

here are a couple of ways to manage a build project and this may be influenced by the type or scope of the build.

Building your own home gives you a huge amount of flexibility - it lets you choose a design that precisely suits your needs now and into the future. You can decide on layout, room sizes and design features to suit your budget.

A self-build mortgage is a mortgage tailored to customers who are looking to build their

own home or who are extensively renovating a property - where you can’t immediately put your key in the door. Unlike a standard mortgage, a self-build mortgage is typically drawn down in stage payments, spread over up to 18 months depending on the length of the build period.

How much money can I draw down for my mortgage?

Maximum mortgages are generally 3.5 times gross annual income and 80 per cent of the

property value (90 per cent of the property value up to â‚Ź220,000 for first-time buyers). In the case of a self-build, the property value is typically calculated as either the site purchase cost (if applicable) plus build costs or the final valuation upon completion. Typically, the lower of these two figures applies. It is also prudent to have an extra 10 per cent of the total cost to cover unforeseen expenses, contingences, cost overruns and furnishings.

Do I need to have building expertise? Or can

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“A self-build mortgage is a mortgage tailored to customers who are looking to build their own home.�

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Self-Build Tips

I just be a fan of Grand Designs?

You don’t need to have building expertise to apply for this mortgage. There’s a couple of ways to manage a build project and this may be influenced by the type or scope of the build. You may decide to employ a Building Contractor or Project Manager / Structural Engineer to coordinate the project, or you can choose to take on this role yourself. Taking on the role will save you money but be prepared to devote a significant amount of time and energy to the project.

What do you need to provide to the bank to make the application?

There’s a number of important documents that you will be asked to provide as part of your self-build mortgage application, in addition to the standard documents relating to your savings, employment and income. Your mortgage advisor will be able to tell you what’s required but here’s an outline. The key piece of additional information you will require upfront is detail of your build costs - either a fixed contract quotation or detailed costings for each element of the build provided by an architect or building professional. Also required are details of your planning permission - full permission should be in place at the mortgage application stage. Your valuer will need to provide an initial valuation report, and you’ll need an initial report completed by your ‘assigned certifier’ who must be a certified architect, engineer or building surveyor.

2. Build with resale in mind The last thing you want to think about when building your dream house is selling your dream house. But you have to take it into consideration. This doesn’t just mean toning down the floral wallpaper. Think realistically about what a potential buyer will appreciate and value when making a decision to splurge. The outdoor hot tub may make your dream home complete, but will a potential buyer want to pay extra for them? Investing in a functional kitchen or quality flooring will serve you better in the long-run. Building a groundfloor ensuite bedroom is also a clever way to appeal to elderly potential buyers 3. Check the reputation of the builder Only pick a builder that has been recommended, not one that claims he can keep costs down. Remember if the price seems too good to be true it probably is. Your best bet is to choose a builder who is registered with the Construction Industry Federation. Most building disasters happen as a result of incompetent builders, trying to keep costs down to an unrealistic level. Your fear is that they won’t just cut corners, they’ll sever them.

Once approved, how does a self-build mortgage work?

Before you commence the build, you will need to appoint a registered architect, chartered building surveyor or engineer to review and certify the works at each stage of the process. Typically, you will input your savings/ contribution upfront to fund the site purchase or the start of the build.

4. Making the most of your space Think about how best to use your space; floor space, wall space and what makes your home feel spacious- windows. Widening your hallway by a couple of yards will make your home feel much larger the minute you walk in the door. Consider keeping certain rooms like your kitchen, dining and living space open plan to create a better sense of flow. Ceiling height is as effective as square footage then it comes to creating the illusion of space.

Read on for 5 things to consider before your build is complete.

1. Know your Numbers It’s so easy to get carried away when building a house, so it’s so important to stick to your budget. This seems like the most obvious, boring and funlimiting piece of advice ever, we know. During the building process, treblecheck every single price before giving a builder the green light. Keep your build as environmentally friendly as possible to qualify for sustainable energy grants.

5. User Friendly Storage We all know that we can never have too much storage. The problem is, for many people it’s an afterthought that turns into a quick trip to IKEA for some plastic containers that will end up in the corner or the attic. Make your storage as convenient and user-friendly as possible, otherwise it will get neglected. Understairs pull-out cupboards, a wall of built-in book-shelves or an American style walk-in pantry are just some of the storage solutions you can plan in as part of your build...

“It is also prudent to have an extra 10 per cent of the total cost to cover unforeseen expenses.”

Ba pa

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We also offer screening panels and pole material for exterior and interior use Malahide.indd 77

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International Home

CONTEMPORARY FARMHOUSE In the Suffolk Countryside

Panoramic glazing frames views of meadows and cornfields from this farmhouse designed by Danish studio Norm Architects for a working farm in southern England.

T

he single-storey residence – named Reydon Grove Farm – is elevated above its site on a sandstone platform, allowing residents to take in views of the garden and farmland beyond.

It is conceived as a contemporary take on the farmhouse, with a modern design that moves away from more traditional gabled forms like those recently explored by US firms Lloyd Architects and Louise Hill Design with a new barn in Utah.

The elongated Reydon Grove Farm block has a flat overhanging roof that shelters a walkway around the house. The Copenhagen studio run by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Ronn placed the house close by a group of mature trees, which screen it from the wind and separate its garden from the fields.

“The Reydon Grove Farm has been designed as a long and narrow flatroofed pavilion, to give the building a sufficient magnitude and scale to

correspond with sizes of the existing barn and the old dairies on the site,” said the architects.

“The long structure is placed on the edge of the property, perfectly conveying the transition from the meadowlands to the cultivated farmland and private enclosed garden,” they added.

Areas between windows are covered in planks of larch, which are arranged vertically to match the cladding of existing buildings on the site.

The two chimneys are made from dark grey brickwork that is intended to harmonise with the cladding as the wood ages, as well as the dark grey window frames.

Inside, the 247-square-metre floor plan is split into two main sections separated by a central hall.

One section contains the lounge, dining area and kitchen, while the other is more private and has bedrooms and bathrooms.

Home & Build Autumn 2016

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International Home

“One half of the bungalow is designed as one big room, divided into different areas with different functions,” explained the architects.

“The internal layout of the house is an open space plan with long views, divided by freestanding elements into different functional zones,” they added. “The design of the facade is all about transparency, letting nature be an integral part of the interior and framing views of the extraordinary settings.”

A fireplace divides the living room from the kitchen, and a utility space separates the kitchen from the entrance hall.

A further hallway runs the length of the building behind the glazing, linking the open-plan living space with the bedrooms, which are screened by white walls.

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The design of the facade is all about transparency, letting nature be an integral part of the interior Autumn 2016 Home & Build

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