Fully supportive structure

The Open Door appeal for the Simon Community by the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland helped to create this house extension, writes Rose Martin

What happens when you need more space at home, but you don’t want to move? You extend, of course. Big, small or just a sunny, balming spot, the urge for more space is irrepressible. And how many of us have created elaborate, dream kitchen/ dining rooms on pages pulled from a child’s copybook to keep up the spirit in an overrun house?

We tend, however, to see our houses through familiar eyes and our experience of home living often means we’re not detached enough to get the best use of space we can.