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SPRING 2017 Cover Photo: Dermot Byrne Photography www.dermotbyrnephoto.ie Editor: Astrid Madsen Sales Director: Mark Duffin Advertising Sales: David Corry Nicola Delacour-Dunne Lisa Killen Patricia Madden Maria Varela Graphic Designer Myles McCann Subscriptions: Leanne Rodgers Printing: WG Baird Distribution: EM News Distribution Ltd

2017 is going to be another big year for technology, with Google Home and the Amazon Echo now on your doorstep. But this offering is quite a departure from what the 1980s promised. Even though Back to the Future hoverboards and self-lacing shoes now do exist, in the home we’re not so much focused on rehydrating pizzas but rather on cloud computing. Instead of automation taking place on our periphery, it’s much more intimate, linked to our smart phones and our online identities. It’s no surprise therefore that hacking is becoming a serious concern when it comes to using these devices for surveillance and even as keys. For more on this topic and other matters related to security in the home, turn to page 59. High tech also has to do with the new materials and methods that have emerged over the past decade – all new houses are now built to exacting standards (page 130), some are made of Insulated Concrete Formwork (page 14), others come straight out of the box (page 70). If these very thoughts make your head spin, turn to our survival guide on page 52 and find

out, on page 42, how much it will cost you to hire a professional to help you navigate the maze of self-building and home improving. At the other end of the spectrum is the traditional Irish cottage, built of a handful of materials – we put it in the spotlight on page 46. Window taxes meant fewer windows, quite a departure from our house configurations today. In fact with our extensive use of glazing, we’re increasingly becoming prone to suffer from overheating (page 112) – to achieve the right balance turn to page 80. For less technical topics, and for a bit of fresh air, consult our hyggelig interior design article starting on page 38; there’s also plenty to keep you inspired including our wood block flooring masterclass on page 122 and a top 10 list of the easiest bulbs to plant this spring, it begins on page 92.

welcome

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Happy building and improving!

Astrid Madsen astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie

Our panel of experts for spring 2017 STUART BLAKLEY Stuart is a freelance writer for design-led publications; he also holds the full-time position of Senior Development Manager at Taylor Wimpey Central London. Email stuart_blakley@hotmail.com

DEBBIE ORME Debbie Orme is a freelance writer and editor, who works across a variety of subjects including business, healthcare, property, pregnancy/ parenting and the over 50s. She also ghost writes autobiographies and proofreads for a wide range of publications. Email: debbie.orme@talk21.com or call NI mobile 07739 356915.

JIM GANNON

CIARAN HEGARTY

Jim is an engineer who has worked within the energy sector throughout his career, delivering projects at European, national and regional level for public and private sector organisations, in the realm of conventional and renewable energy, demand management and technology development. Jim currently holds the role of CEO at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. www.seai.ie

Ciaran is a woodwork and construction studies teacher in Moyle Park College, Clondalkin, Dublin. He qualified from the University of Limerick in 2005 with an Honours Degree in Materials and Construction with Concurrent teacher education. He resides in Leixlip, Co Kildare, email ciaranhegarty2005@hotmail.com

FIANN Ó NUALLÁIN Award winning garden designer, author and broadcaster, Fiann has a background in fine art, sculpture, horticulture, ethnobotany and complementary medicine. He currently is a co-presenter on RTE 1’s Dermot’s Secret Garden programme. Check out Fiann’s blog on www.theholisticgardener.com or send him a tweet @HolisticG

PAUL O’REILLY Paul is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and energy consultant with over 25 years’ experience in energy efficiency, cost-effective improvements and the role of successfully integrated renewables. He is a founding member of ORS, a project management and consulting engineering company, and director of Watt Footprint, an e-commerce website based on his book of the same name. www.ors.ie www.wattfootprint.com

JIMMY LENEHAN

ART MC CORMACK

Jimmy Lenehan is a Kilkenny based thatcher who started his training in 1992. His main interest is in historic buildings and as a sideline he lectures in conservation. When not thatching he can be found delving into the murky world of marine archaeology where he works as a commercial diver. Email jimmylenehan01@hotmail.com

Art Mc Cormack, B.Arch. M. Sc. Agric. (in Land. Hort.); MSC. Urb. Des;. FRIAI, MILI, is co-director of architectural practice Mosart and of the Passive House Academy. www.mosart.ie www.passivehouseacademy.com

ANDREW STANWAY Andrew Stanway is a project manager with over 30 years’ experience. He is also a writer and the author of Managing Your Build published by Stobart Davies.

MARK STEPHENS Following architectural training in the UK and working for several high-profile architects, Mark set up his practice in Co Mayo to create well designed and functional buildings that are sustainable and eco-friendly. He is a member of RIBA and the RIAI, a Grade III conservation architect, and a certified passive house designer. Mark Stephens Architects, Bridge Street, Swinford, F12 PX21, Co Mayo, tel. 094 92 52514, mobile 085 159 4084, email: info@ markstephensarchitects.com, www.markstephensarchitects.com

Published by SelfBuild Ireland Ltd. 119 Cahard Road, Saintfield, Co Down BT24 7LA. Tel: (NI 028 / ROI 048) 9751 0570 Fax: (NI 028 / ROI 048) 9751 0576 E-mail: info@selfbuild.ie Directors: Clive Corry, Brian Corry & Mark Duffin The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions nor for the accuracy of information reproduced. Where opinions may be given, these are personal and based upon the best information to hand. At all times readers are advised to seek the appropriate professional advice. Copyright: all rights reserved.