10a Lower Grangegorman in Dublin, Ireland

This new residential development, for a motorcycle enthusiast, adjacent to No.10 Grangegorman Villas, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 is an alternative reaction to the more traditional city centre infill residential projects; an unapologetic piece of architecture sitting within a strong urban context defined by both site and planning constraints.

The building is essentially two living plates over a workshop connected by a vertical service and circulation core. While the character of this new structure is unmistakably contemporary it has been designed to sit discreetly within its more traditional context, while giving the end of the terrace the strong presence it deserves.

The breakup of the buildings main elements, defined in elevation by the horizontal structural lines, help to identify the structure and functions contained behind. The building profile is further strengthened with a deliberately weighted treatment to the openings at first and ground floor level adding to the aura of secrecy as to what’s contained within. An external terrace area has been provided at the front section of the upper floor, increasing the visual and physical depth of the open plan living accommodation. This is further emphasized by the full height frameless fixed glazing sections, visible on the front and rear elevations. The external screen to the deck area has been fabricated using vertical aluminum fins to match the satin-anodized aluminum cladding to the fixed and opening sections below. The irregular spacing of these fins gives this screen a semi-transparent appearance, particularly when viewed from a westerly direction and during the evening when it is illuminated from behind. This reduces the perceived bulk of the building, depending on the viewer’s position and alters the appearance of the structure over a twenty four hour period. The elevations become more transparent as you move from the ground floor up terminating in the upper floor external terrace.

The flush arrangement of all of the elements in the elevations helps to underline the simplicity and strength of the proposal and their treatment help to develop the concept further. The solid ventilation sections are clad using the same satin-anodized aluminum visible on the adjoining fixed section while the position and size of the window openings are determined by function, light or the desire to frame a particular view of surrounding areas. All glazing to these openings is constructed from full height bonded double glazed sections positioned in front of the supporting floor slabs and held flush with all adjoining surfaces.

Internally a similar approach has been taken to the arrangement and detailing of the spaces. The building is entered under a canopy, which extends internally to create a ‘suppressed’ area inside the front door, emphasizing a triple height stairwell beyond. The experience of this space is further enhanced through the introduction of a full 2 width roof light running the full length of the building, flooding this volume with natural light. This volume is seen as a negative space which projects the house to the outside. The provision of roof lights at high level ensures natural light penetrates deep into the plan during daylight hours and the orientation of the metal fins at the front of the upper terrace allow westerly evening light to illuminate both the terrace space and living accommodation behind.

The experience of space and light is paramount and the interconnection between the main areas spread over three floors, is central to the understanding and enjoyment of the building. Light floods into the structure from several directions and large openings to the surrounding areas help to extend views out beyond the physical constraints of the rooms.

Accommodation comprises of a second floor open plan living, dining and kitchen space linked to the first floor bedrooms and bathroom by the triple height circulation zone. This circulation volume extends down to the ground floor providing access to the lower garage area the walled back garden behind and the paved front garden facing the street. The enclosed back garden, to the rear of the property, is seen as a landscaped courtyard which opens directly into the ground floor volume and is partially sheltered by the cantilevered structure above.