This Dublin 4 1950s semi-d was modernised without extending, thanks to a considered refurbishment and retrofit
Diarmaid Brophy Architects improved the flow and connections between spaces, as well as raising the BER from E2 to A2.
Although a renovation often seeks to expand the space available, this wasn’t necessary in the case of this Dublin 4 home. As architect Diarmaid Brophy explains, “What made this project different than most, is that the brief from the onset was to modernise the home without expanding its size. It had undergone several extensions over the decades, so we focused on making a few carefully considered, impactful changes to create a cohesive and unified design.”
The 1950s semi-d had been extended multiple times, including a two-storey extension in the 1970s, a single-storey addition in the 1980s, and a converted garage in the 2010s, so while the space in the home was generous, Diarmaid notes that this wasn’t being used in the most efficient way. “For example, two fireplaces between the kitchen/dining room and rear living room were obstacles to connecting these rooms, and the large converted garage was underused.”
While the original layout was maintained, several changes were made to improve the flow and connections between spaces, as well as incorporating the garden into the experience of the home.
“A new generous floor-to-ceiling opening now connects the new rear living room with the kitchen/dining area and this opening is framed with hand painted panels matching the finish of the new custom kitchen,” Diarmaid explains.” Across the back of the house, the external openings to the garden are rationalised down to two, with slim floor-to-ceiling aluminium-framed sliding doors making the most of the south-westery light and improving the connection to the garden, while a repositioned glass door, leading from the entrance hall into the kitchen, now draws the eye through the house to the back garden and improves the kitchen flow and layout.”
A new external canopy across the previous two-storey extension forms unifies the appearance of additions that were made years apart, and the garage has been split into a pantry, utility room and boot room. Subtler changes included reducing the size of the front room, now a home office, to accommodate a new cloakroom off the entrance hall. While the door into the living room was relocated to improve usability of the space. Upstairs, the wardrobes and ensuite in the main bedroom, as well as the main bathroom, were enlarged and reconfigured.
Original features such as the internal panelled doors in the house were refurbished and the simple profile of the original skirting boards and architraves was faithfully reproduced. The detailing of these older items sit comfortably alongside the new custom furniture pieces.
Improving the home’s energy efficiency was a key aspect of the project. “These days, a lot of the measures that make for a more comfortable home can go unnoticed,” Diarmaid points out. “The plans for the home included a deep retrofit which significantly improved the home’s energy efficiency, raising its Building Energy Rating (BER) from E2 to A2. Redundant fireplaces and chimney stacks were removed, and a new insulated ground floor with underfloor heating was installed. New windows and insulation were added throughout, and flat roofs and attic spaces were upgraded. An airtightness membrane and a decentralised ventilation system were installed, along with an air-to-water heat pump for heating and hot water. Solar panels now generate electricity, which can be stored in newly installed batteries.”
The palette chosen for this home was made up of muted tones, including a wide plank ash floor throughout the ground floor. “Bold, darker colours were reserved for special elements, such as the hand-painted kitchen furniture in a bold green and the refurbished staircase in off-black. This off-black color was repeated across several elements, including the new rendered band that ties the rear extensions together. At ground level, new brickwork replicates the original finish, adding a tactile quality.” Diarmaid says.
The result, Diarmaid explains, has “a calm, open and spacious feel. The thoughtful changes make for a deceptively straightforward flow between the brighter rooms, and while the footprint remains unchanged, the main rooms do feel more spacious than before. Retaining and replicating some of the original elements of the house is a reminder of its age and the simple detailing of these older items sit comfortably alongside the new furnishings and custom furniture pieces, lending the interiors a timeless quality.”
Photography: Richard Hatch
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