A SKINNY GEM IN THE HEART OF KINSALE

“The house is narrow

with innovative design

This completed project was an extension and re furbishment of an existing terraced property located in the heart of Kinsale by Lizette Conneely of Conneely Wessels Architects (CWA) in Cork. The project was complicated by the tightness of the site, issues of overlooking, right of light and its location within an architectural conservation area.

The design seeks to maximise space and floor plate with the narrow terrace width of 3m by placing the stairs to the rear as a separate, distinct element. The stair also functions as a light-well, introducing daylight deep into the existing plan.

The final proposals were informed by a series of daylight and shadow studies to ensure that the proposed extension didn’t have any detrimental impact on the adjoining houses and gardens.

The house, at only three metres wide, makes it one of the narrowest houses they have worked on and that is why it is nicknamed the ‘Skinny House.’

Conneely Wessels Architects is an architectural practice based in Kinsale, County Cork. Their practice aims to provide a responsive, imaginative and professional service, tailored to the aspirations of each of their clients, and to deliver quality results regardless of commission size or type as well as seeking to develop sustainable designs which fulfil the expectations of building users, address their physical and cultural context and allow effective solutions for procurement and construction.

Their work includes all types of planning, design and their range of services extends from acting as consultants, providing strategic advice on development, regeneration and conservation, to providing full architectural services for building

“Conneely Wessels Architects blew us AWAY.”

projects from inception to completion. They advise and enable clients at various stage of their projects from initial project definition and feasibility through to general estate and facilities management. They also offer clients the cost benefits, ease of management and synergies of a single point of contact for all construction services from project inception through to completion.

Here, Ms Conneely discusses the project with us. “Our clients purchased this property with the idea of having a home in Kinsale, where they will eventually retire. The property was in need of renovation and they approached Conneely Wessels Architects (CWA) to re-imagine the possibilities and find innovative ideas to maximise the small narrow footprint of their property,’’ said Lizette Conneely.

“The property is located in the heart of Kinsale and in an Architectural Historic Area. This house is also located in the middle of three parts of an originally, substantial historic home. The original footprint was already small and only 44sqm. The brief from the clients was to maximise the footprint, daylight and views from this property and re-imagine the possibilities of developing this property into a modern home.

“The design solution was to build a new staircase to the rear of the property. This free-ed up the original footprint and added an additional 14sqm to the overall footprint. The drum-shaped staircase maximised daylight to the neigh bouring properties, brought daylight deep into the existing footprint and also formed a feature for the façade design, to the rear of this historical property. The house is called the ‘Skinny House’ because the house is very narrow, but with innovative design, Conneely Wessels Architects was still able to accommodate two bedrooms, a wet room style bathroom, a utility room, a separate WC and a light-filled open plan kitchen/living/dining space, that is located on the top floor to maximise the views.

“Clever storage design is paramount in smaller scale properties. CWA maximised this by providing floor to ceiling cupboards on the landing of the stairs (sometimes a lost opportunity to use this space), hidden storage under bay-window seating and externally, by sinking the oil tank under the decking to the rear of the property. Both bedrooms are also fitted with floor to ceiling cupboards,’’ continued Ms Conneely.

As to whether or not there were any delays throughout this project?

“We were delighted that everything during the construction period went smoothly’’ she enthused.

In terms of Ms Conneely’s thoughts on this overall project?

“We are delighted with the outcome of the design and how innovative thinking and clever design can have a positive impact on property value. The key to unlocking the potential of small spaces is by engaging an experienced architect that can re-imagine the possibilities of each property and add value with innovative design,’’ concluded Lizette Conneely. “We bought this tall narrow skinny house which was dull, dark with no space, because the old stairs fills up most of the inside space. Conneely Wessels Architects blew us away with their design and modern ideas,’’ added the homeowner.

“They designed the stairs in a new semi-circular dome extension out the back, which didn’t interfere with the neighbours as the house was 1/3 part of an old Victorian house. They utilised every spare bit of space with useful storage space.

“They even stored the oil tank under the decking. Lizettes’ ideas to brighten up the house while still preserving our privacy was amazing, her inspiring ideas with regards to the colour scheme, blew us away. I would highly recommend them to anyone that needs inspiration,’’ concluded the homeowner.

CONTACT LIST

ARCHITECT: Lizette Conneely, Conneely Wessels Architects, Second Floor Studio, 7 Pearse Street, Kinsale, County Cork - 021-4709386 www.cwarchitects.ie info@cwarchitects.ie

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Mark Salter, Mark Salter Engineering 087-7951730

CONTRACTOR: Mullane Builders Ltd, Bweeng, Mallow, County Cork 021- 7333197 - 086- 8232246 www.mullanebuilders.ie info@mullanebuilders.ie LIGHTING: Lightplan, Kinsale Road Industrial Estate, Unit 5 Kinsale Road, County Cork, T12 X5CD 021-4971110 www.lightplan.ie sales.cl@medlocks.ie

KITCHEN: Hannon Kitchens, Unit 5 Gleann Ailinn, Ballygarvan Village, County Cork 021-4888807

EXTERNAL DECKING: Freefoam, www.freefoam.ie

TILES: Kinsale Tile & Furniture Store, Guardwell, Sleveen, Kinsale, County Cork 021-4772966 www.kinsaletiles.com

EXTERNAL RENDER: Sto, www.sto.co.uk

WINDOWS: Munster Joinery, Ballydesmond, County Cork, P51 PD71 - 064-7751151 www.munsterjoinery.ie info@munsterjoinery.ie