Extension and renovation of a Victorian Villa in South Belfast. The project was recognised with regional and national Royal Institute of British Architects’ awards in 2012.
Judges Comments: ‘This major addition to a detached Victorian villa is seen in the context of the rear extensions of suburban Belfast. The rationalisation of the functions, spaces and detailing, however, are in marked contrast with the distinction between ‘served’ and ‘servant’ spaces articulated in the massing and the materials, with the two activities separated by a courtyard. The new spaces bring light into the depth of the plan balancing the formal Victorian rooms at the front of the house.’
Client’s Comments: ‘It was going to be about opening up the space and bringing in light. We wanted a large kitchen to cook and eat in. The front of the house was bright with large bay windows. A favourite room also had windows at the rear so we wanted to keep this a bright, open and comforting room, where we could retire back to in the evenings. The open space at the rear of this room acts as a light box to it and to the kitchen, drawing the eye up to one of our favourite pieces of the house, the glass link. The bi–fold doors lead your eyes into the garden but the glass roof makes the sky accessible, an admirable advantage in an urban house.The attention to detail by Garreth McMahon, our architect. gave us glass walls and corners, light filled rooms floating furniture including our kitchen island unit, without a socket in sight. We love these features, and the earth brown floor, the white surfaces and off–white walls, everything feels natural and renewable.’
The project was completed while in previous employment with ARD Ciaran Mackel Architects. Photography by Aidan Monaghan Photography/ Fearghal Murray.
Extension and renovation of a Victorian Villa in South Belfast. The project was recognised with regional and national Royal Institute of British Architects’ awards in 2012.
Judges Comments: ‘This major addition to a detached Victorian villa is seen in the context of the rear extensions of suburban Belfast. The rationalisation of the functions, spaces and detailing, however, are in marked contrast with the distinction between ‘served’ and ‘servant’ spaces articulated in the massing and the materials, with the two activities separated by a courtyard. The new spaces bring light into the depth of the plan balancing the formal Victorian rooms at the front of the house.’
Client’s Comments: ‘It was going to be about opening up the space and bringing in light. We wanted a large kitchen to cook and eat in. The front of the house was bright with large bay windows. A favourite room also had windows at the rear so we wanted to keep this a bright, open and comforting room, where we could retire back to in the evenings. The open space at the rear of this room acts as a light box to it and to the kitchen, drawing the eye up to one of our favourite pieces of the house, the glass link. The bi–fold doors lead your eyes into the garden but the glass roof makes the sky accessible, an admirable advantage in an urban house.The attention to detail by Garreth McMahon, our architect. gave us glass walls and corners, light filled rooms floating furniture including our kitchen island unit, without a socket in sight. We love these features, and the earth brown floor, the white surfaces and off–white walls, everything feels natural and renewable.’
The project was completed while in previous employment with ARD Ciaran Mackel Architects. Photography by Aidan Monaghan Photography/ Fearghal Murray.
