Everyone appreciates good design, now more than ever, but Building Costs have risen in recent years. One way to achieve your dream without giving up on quality is to ‘build small.’ Even with a small floor area, you can achieve quality spaces and improve the quality of your life as a result.

A smaller floor area saves construction costs. This means, for example, you have more to spend on your interior design and furniture. You also create a cosy home without your heating costs running too high.

And only an architect’s design skills will enable you to achieve this.

I recommend to prioritise living spaces, which should always be spacious feeling and full of natural light. They can be dramatic.  But private rooms like bedrooms can be compact and efficient.

We create homes that meet your needs today and into the future.

Consider ‘building smaller’ as one of your options.

Digging is expensive, and more so on
restricted sites.  But in a basement or
semi basement situation, it provides a wonderful link between the lower level spaces and the garden.

Once dug out, the house is secured by steel
structure and the building of the extension can begin.

In this project, for a Protected Structure in South Dublin, an extension at Garden Level  provided much needed light, height and extra space to the kitchen and dining room at the rear of the house and created a space on the same level as the garden for outside eating and to enjoy the views of the garden.

A new staircase from the Raised Ground Floor entrance hallway to the Garden Level was designed to connect these floors, give views of the rear garden right through from the front of the house, and bring natural light through the house. 

A  bathroom was created in
a small extension at the stair landing level. The projection of the bathroom extension is kept to a minimum and is linked to the house re-using an existing window opening. Glazing demarcates the junction between the new brickwork and the original brickwork.

Bathrooms in an extension keep water pipes and waste stacks out of the original house where they are difficult to accommodate and conceal without damage to historic fabric of the building.

Proper planning is essential to start a project and you need to get a handle on costs.

You may not know how to achieve what you want. 

And you may not know how much it will cost. 

You may have a piece of land to the side or rear of your
house that you want to use.

I offer a Design Consultation and Feasibility Report, which will enable you to make informed decisions about maximising the potential of your home to suit your needs now and into the future, within your budget.

I meet with you and visit the property with you for an initial visit, have a detailed conversation about what you would like to achieve, the options available, the planning process and regulations, and the budget available. I will offer you initial design ideas for your project.

I then prepare and send you a Report, which establishes a scope of works and realistic budget, and outlines several design ideas and options for your project, based on what you would like to achieve.

My advice and experience through all stages of a construction project will add value to, improve and/ or increase what you can achieve with your home. It may add financial value to your investment, and it will ensure your money is carefully allocated.  It will add physical and emotional value, as the way we design our spaces has a monumental impact on the quality of our
daily lives.