A proposal for a replacement dwelling near the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Beauty. The historic dwelling site which reflects old field patterns has evolved over time to include an extended cottage, various farm outbuildings and a concrete field wall. With a growing young family, the clients were keen to secure the site for future generations by providing a contemporary home which meets modern requirements while successfully integrating with the existing clustered buildings and mature landscape features.

Building upon the existing field wall, our proposal is a reinterpretation of the low slung two storey Ulster farmhouse, a vernacular building which is common to the area. These dwellings are typically characterised by a central linear pitched roof form, low eaves, a narrow single–room–deep plan and surrounding subservient forms clustered perpendicular to the main.

Materials have been selected to be visually discreet, referencing the traditional materials of the south Ulster rural domestic vernacular.  Walls are masonry with off–white render finish to integrate with the retained cottage and surrounding vernacular outbuildings. The existing field wall will be rebuilt in stone which will follow into the building as a plinth, to root the building in its historic context.

A garden room, which is a smaller single storey form with mono–pitched roof will take its cue from nearby outbuildings and be constructed with a corrugated roof. Doors and window frames are to be hardwood, sliding to mimic the nearby agricultural sheds. Natural stone will be used to form garden walls and terrace paving between the new house and the south–facing garden.