The perfect square in a magic mews makeover
THERE’S a certain irony in the rise of the mews house as a desirable property type. Two centuries ago these lane-side dwellings were specific to horses and staff, (and often in that order) and lay neglected for years after the fall of empire.
Today, the rejuvenation of these leafy lanes is down to urban sophisticates who see the merit in compact, designed living, but with the right address.
And in that sense, the reclamation of mews houses has helped to raise the quality and integrity of domestic design, because smaller valuable spaces require trained thinking to maximise on their asset value. God and Mammon in harmony, perhaps.
There has been a continual ticking over in mews house redevelopment since the 1960s, which began with lots of bubble glass, neo-Victorian conversions, but the noughties have seen a mushrooming of mews houses in Dublin, as land prices soared to the level of New York, London and Paris.
In this case at least, the hysterical stampede to property was all to the good, with some classic residential designs emerging from the boom.
Z Square House lies to the rear of a Dublin 6 property and is the latest mews conversion on its lane.
The owner commissioned architect, Niall McCullogh of McCullough Mulvin to create a new dwelling on a site of a derelict garage block and was, he says, ‘interested in not being overly specific’.
A dream client, in other words, and to be fair, the award-winning architect has created an impressive result.
He was enthusiastic about the project for a number of reasons, not least because he believes the redevelopment of Dublin’s lanes was one of the better effects of the Celtic Tiger: “I love them (the lanes) for lots of reasons — they’re so private and almost like the streets of Pompeii and they have doors with internalised courtyards and I love them for that privacy,” he says.
“And if you have a house like this and you’re doing it as an architect, then it should be a house you’d like to live in yourself.”
He describes Z Square house as a sort of sun dial, because its internalised courtyards catch the sun at different periods of the day — and follows its path as it travels north.
His efforts here off Temple Gardens have has been short-listed for two awards, the first, the Architectural Association of Ireland Award saw the mews pick up a Special Merit Award and the property is also short-listed for this year’s RIAI awards, the results of which are due out Monday.
The secret to Z square is that it is a perfect square, he says, and is worked off a plan of 13 metres by 13 metres in a mid-lane plot off the Palmerston Road in Dublin 6.
On a midsummer’s day, these old suburbs are quiet, calm and adrift with the sweet scent of corded lime — trees tower, even over the four-storey houses in their manicured rows, yet down this cul de sac there’s a sense of being away from it all. That’s what McCullogh has achieved in his design.
Z Square is built of concrete, cedar and Wicklow granite, the latter used on the enclosing walls and on part of the upper elevation which allows it to blend in with existing structures. A wide cedar door, (with Judas hole) slides back to reveal a small square courtyard faced by two walls of glass and cedar sheeting on the upper level, with a direct view through the house to another courtyard to the rear.
“Behind and inside the house, you’re in another world — there’s a stone wall onto the street and a wooden heart in the courtyard,” McCullough says.
Windows are kept to a minimum, instead Z Square has walls of glazing on all of its courtyards, allowing light and nature inside, while maintaining the privacy of this square citadel.
Because the house is set at the end of a row of large houses and opposite another row of mews dwellings, the impact on the environment was a preeminent consideration. It’s why the flat roof design includes a roof garden.
“In a sense, you’re looked down upon by the other houses and in terms of neighbours, you’re on show in three dimensions and you should contribute to other people’s pleasure. That’s the reason for the roof garden. And those roofs are great — great for drainage, water falls more slowly and is much more modulated and I think the wonderful thing is that they’re also great insulation,”.says McCullough.
Z Square is a concept house, he says, and is a perfect size at 13m by 13m and yet, packs in 180 sq m on three levels — (there’s a very bright and very large basement space too).
The house was designed to fit the space exactly, but with cut-outs for courtyards to not only provide light, but ‘more viewing platforms’.
“You’re sitting in a space with a ground view of a landscape and you’re able to pull back all the doors and have the air run through on a warm day and you can start in one garden and work in,” says McCullogh. The best part of modern architecture is the openness and the glazing and the ability to move and circulate without let or hindrance.”
And this is just what he’s achieved, with a ground floor space that’s divided up, not by sections, but by the interplay of courtyards into the overall square shape, carving up the space naturally into apartments, but with a free flow. The brute element that is concrete is softened here to become polished kitchen worktops, an integrated seat, fair face walls and ceiling and softly finished soffit on the exterior.
The result is a home that’s warm, secluded and whose contemporary nature is highlighted by the use of antique furniture, most of it bought at auction by the client’s grandfather in the ‘30s.
Simply, the ground floor has the open plan kitchen/dining area, a living room and a guest bedroom/study. The latter is tucked into the northernmost corner and overlooks its own private courtyard where landscaping has massed willowy Betulae under planted with native and Australian ferns. Lovely.
The bathroom is simply finished, and is lit by one of three large roof windows.
Materials in Z Square are from a tight palette: cedar windows and cladding, concrete structure and elements and limed oak floors and furniture.
The kitchen, which is the heart of the ground floor has simple, limed units, with full length cabinets on a dividing wall, which also hides piping and ducting. The kitchen is flanked by two courtyards, the second of which is larger and has, again, massed planting of Silver Birch, but with an under planting of allium — really gifted landscaping and the work of the owner’s brother.
Here, too, there’s a bee hive — an unexpected element in a suave, city home, but one whose presence lends an element of groundedness and contemplative relaxation.
The main living room has direct access to the front courtyard, which is graveled and again, has two walls of sliding doors for access. Southerly light can play on the water here, even on the dullest, pearlescant days and it’s also an evening sun trap.
The house has underfloor heating, but the main living room has a sleek wood burning stove, slotted into the dividing, staircase wall: again, all wiring and ducting is hidden behind the built-in limed units here.
Around the corner to the left is the staircase to the first floor, which opens, in the vernacular style to a main bedroom and en suite bathroom.
The windows here face west and for privacy have cedar shutters that close flush with the cladding, giving the house that Mediterranean/North African look, especially when combined with the blank granite wall to the street.
A large window gives access to the roof garden, which breaks with the usual sedum planting and runs with native wildnesses of grass, clover and herbs set amongst gravel. Ideal for the bees.
Downstairs again, and to the right of the living room is the stairs down to the largest bedroom, and one with two, underground courtyards, a bathroom area and utility/laundry room. It’s a good example of what can be achieved in a small square plot.
But then, that’s why people employ architects like Niall McCullogh. .
The RIAI is inviting the public to choose their favourite building from the 38 projects shortlisted for the 2011 Irish Architecture Awards for the much sought-after Public Choice Award. The public can vote online on www.architectureawards.ie Voting closes at midnight this Sunday 10th of July 2011.
Some great ideas for you to use in your home and where to get them.
1. There is no rule that says a contemporary house has to have contemporary furniture. Here, the contrast between old and new serves to highlight the contemporary nature of the house. Similar furniture can be picked up cheaply at auction.
2. Concrete worktop: Is there anything cooler? Specially cast to your kitchen design, this is durable, damage proof.
3. Wood burning stove: This inset stove is sleek, safe for children, and there’s no mess. Choose from brand names like Saey, Jide and Westfire with prices starting from €1,000. www.eurostove.co.uk, hearthandhome.ie.
4. Roof gardens: Here, the usual sedum planting has been replaced with a freestyle, wild grass and herb mix. Enough for the birds, bees and butterflies.
5. Massed planting: Don’t put one plant in — pack a number of the same variety for an architectural focus.
6. Roof Lights: Why go for proprietary brands when creating a bespoke roof light gives the illusion of light on water above and the effect of daylight below.
Architects: Niall McCullough, McCullough Mulvin Architects mcculloughmulvin.com
Contractors: Hassett Construction Ltd and Pierce Healy Developments Ltd.
Consulting engineers: Kavanagh Mansfield and Partners. Cost advice was from John Skelly and Associates.
Electrical/ plumbing, (if different from above) Kennedy Mechanical and Electrical Ltd.
Kitchen/ Fitted units: Eurowood Interiors Ltd and Uniqrete Ltd (who did the concrete worktop).
Bathroom fixtures and fittings: Main Contractor. Duravit fittings. Ideal Standard .
Fireplaces: Eurostoves Ltd, available from hearthandhome.ie
Flooring/ tiles: Timber floor: Trunk Flooring Ltd.
Joinery, glass and glazing: McNally Joinery.
Landscaping: Clients who enjoyed themselves filling in the blanks.
McCullough Mulvin are one of Ireland’s leading architectural practices — they have worked on projects all around Ireland — from libraries and public buildings to private houses.
Recent work has included the new sports pavilion in the Mardyke, Cork, for UCC as well as the Model and Niland Gallery in Sligo, Waterford City Library, Rush Library, the Source Library and Arts Centre in Thurles and the Ussher Library and Long Room Hub in Trinity College Dublin.
www.mcculloughmulvin.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
