Two dwellings to the rear of 43 The Diamond, Moy. The site is an unused grassy linear plot which lies to the rear of the listed Square at The Moy, Co. Tyrone, a designated Conservation Area. Our proposal is for a reinterpretation of the informal, utilitarian character of the typical buildings that occupy the lands behind the village square, including a previous outbuilding that once occupied part of the plot.
This strategy proposes two visibly smaller, shed–like buildings that adopt the materials, siting and form of neighbouring back land buildings. In doing so the proposal seeks to preserve the historic pattern and hierarchy of development in the village, while respecting the nature of the view from St James’ church toward Killyman Street. The holistic design for the street frontage and rear linear strip will preserve most of the green space, hedgerows and mature trees that complete the existing character of the plot, bringing it from disuse into active use as private gardens to a pair of discreet new dwellings.
The typical buildings of these lands to the rear of the listed square are of a utilitarian, shed or barn like appearance. They are typically sited perpendicular to the townhouses of the square, running with the long linear plots typical to Mid–Ulster towns. Our proposed built forms take this approach as narrow, low slung buildings with a utilitarian character in form, material and fenestration, standing distinct from the boundaries of the plot and from the existing historic townhouses to the square, while maintaining all of the existing built elements of the site. Most of the existing trees and hedgerows in and around the plot are retained to create a sympathetic, integrated and contextual whole. Of key concern to us was the elevated aspect from St. James Church toward Killyman Street, which we agree is critical to how the proposal integrates with the existing backlands. Our proposal therefore adopts lower ridgelines preserving the view over existing hedgerows, walls and through existing trees toward the roofscape of the townhouses beyond existing condition and help integrate the new forms.
Our minimal building footprints occupy a small proportion of the linear plots, and a narrow gravel laneway, only as wide as is absolutely essential, allowing the plots to remain predominantly green with generous garden space to both dwellings.
Careful siting also allows existing mature trees to remain in place, while existing hedgerows are maintained where possible or replanted after construction. A sunken courtyard adopts the condition of neighbouring excavated external spaces around the rear of townhouses, while providing private and secluded south facing space spilling out from the main living spaces.
The assymetrical roof of the buildings is designed in reference to the utilitarian outbuildings and sheds that occupy much of these backland plots, while allowing north lights to bring light deep into the plan without the potential issue of overlooking to and from properties on Killyman Street. The ridge and eaves are set as low as possible to preserve the hierarchy of the village townhouses.
An in–situ concrete base contains sunken living spaces and retains the ground around the courtyard. The upper storey at existing ground level is clad in black stained timber to relate to existing outbuildings and sheds around the backlands of the town. This also allows the new structures to read as subservient to the existing village townhouses to the street and square, preserving the historic built pattern of the village.
Two dwellings to the rear of 43 The Diamond, Moy. The site is an unused grassy linear plot which lies to the rear of the listed Square at The Moy, Co. Tyrone, a designated Conservation Area. Our proposal is for a reinterpretation of the informal, utilitarian character of the typical buildings that occupy the lands behind the village square, including a previous outbuilding that once occupied part of the plot.
This strategy proposes two visibly smaller, shed–like buildings that adopt the materials, siting and form of neighbouring back land buildings. In doing so the proposal seeks to preserve the historic pattern and hierarchy of development in the village, while respecting the nature of the view from St James’ church toward Killyman Street. The holistic design for the street frontage and rear linear strip will preserve most of the green space, hedgerows and mature trees that complete the existing character of the plot, bringing it from disuse into active use as private gardens to a pair of discreet new dwellings.
The typical buildings of these lands to the rear of the listed square are of a utilitarian, shed or barn like appearance. They are typically sited perpendicular to the townhouses of the square, running with the long linear plots typical to Mid–Ulster towns. Our proposed built forms take this approach as narrow, low slung buildings with a utilitarian character in form, material and fenestration, standing distinct from the boundaries of the plot and from the existing historic townhouses to the square, while maintaining all of the existing built elements of the site. Most of the existing trees and hedgerows in and around the plot are retained to create a sympathetic, integrated and contextual whole. Of key concern to us was the elevated aspect from St. James Church toward Killyman Street, which we agree is critical to how the proposal integrates with the existing backlands. Our proposal therefore adopts lower ridgelines preserving the view over existing hedgerows, walls and through existing trees toward the roofscape of the townhouses beyond existing condition and help integrate the new forms.
Our minimal building footprints occupy a small proportion of the linear plots, and a narrow gravel laneway, only as wide as is absolutely essential, allowing the plots to remain predominantly green with generous garden space to both dwellings.
Careful siting also allows existing mature trees to remain in place, while existing hedgerows are maintained where possible or replanted after construction. A sunken courtyard adopts the condition of neighbouring excavated external spaces around the rear of townhouses, while providing private and secluded south facing space spilling out from the main living spaces.
The assymetrical roof of the buildings is designed in reference to the utilitarian outbuildings and sheds that occupy much of these backland plots, while allowing north lights to bring light deep into the plan without the potential issue of overlooking to and from properties on Killyman Street. The ridge and eaves are set as low as possible to preserve the hierarchy of the village townhouses.
An in–situ concrete base contains sunken living spaces and retains the ground around the courtyard. The upper storey at existing ground level is clad in black stained timber to relate to existing outbuildings and sheds around the backlands of the town. This also allows the new structures to read as subservient to the existing village townhouses to the street and square, preserving the historic built pattern of the village.
