Dermot Bannon: When I look in the mirror I see Ryan Gosling

Visualisation is one way we can get the prep off to a good start before consulting an architect, as Eve Kelliher discovers

Sun, 24 Mar, 2024 - 21:05

Home Editor Eve Kelliher

It's a week since St Patrick’s Day but having Dermot Bannon at the other end of the phone line has conjured up visions of a leprechaun’s pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow.

All because Ireland’s most famous architect is talking about how riches can solve almost anything you can think of. Dermot is saying: “Throw money at a problem and it’s much easier — you have to be far more creative without it! There’s more design involved.” We’re talking about architecture mainly, of course — and specifically, the upcoming Simon Open Door campaign, for which Dermot is the ambassador.

But the presenter of Dermot’s Incredible Homes and Room to Improve has an invaluable nugget of wisdom to add: “For those of us on a budget, creativity and compromise are the most valuable commodities.” The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI), in collaboration with the Simon Communities of Ireland, now celebrating its 20th year of what Dermot describes as a “festival of architecture”.

Dermot Bannon, MRIAI, Kathryn Meghen, RIAI CEO, and Wayne Stanley, executive director, Simon Communities of Ireland. Picture: Andres Poveda

Members of the public can get an hour-long consultation with an architect in exchange for a €120 donation to the charity that supports homelessness.

“All of the architects involved in the initiative offer their time and expertise completely free of charge as all proceeds go towards assisting those who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness across Ireland,” adds Dermot.

Seoidin House, DUA, a project that developed from a previous Open Door consultation. Picture: Shane Lynam

You can discuss everything from building to renovating or retrofitting their homes with flexible consultations that can take place online or in person. What’s the first way we can prepare so we can get the most out of our consultation with an architect? “People often prepare by looking at every Instagram account they love, or magazines, and Pinterest, and copying every picture and image they like — and actually none of that solves any of the issues.

This project at Macetown, Co Meath, by Patrick Gilsenan, PG Architects, emerged after an Open Door consultation.

“It’s like when I bring in the pictures of Brad Pitt to the barber.”

This is where it gets very very interesting. Because Dermot has a confession to make.

Curve Appeal, a project that arose from a previous Open Door consultation, by Islander Architects. Picture: Peter Molloy

The architect has previously spoken of how he sometimes asks Justin about how his television series is going down with the public.

“Justin is my touchstone. He reads the moods of the nation,” says Dermot.

And what happened? “He burst out laughing and I got very offended.”

So how does this relate to preparing for our architectural consultation? “What I’m saying is: Instagram pictures and Pinterest images and magazine cuttings are all surface ideas. If you’re going to an architect you wouldn’t have any concerns about your house. “

MAKE A LIST

What should we do then? “Write a list, the pen-and-paper type,” says Dermot. “There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned list. Are you tripping over schoolbags? Are bikes getting in the way? Are there wetsuits on the chairs? Put down all the things you want to solve. Because you wouldn’t be seeing an architect unless you have loads of issues with your house that you want to solve.”

There could be noise issues, food smells, and the fact that there’s nowhere cosy in the house, adds Dermot.

“It could be that when you’re watching TV it feels like you’re in Grand Central Station,” he adds.

“It’s not a question of ‘my life will be so different if I have a navy kitchen’”.

Middleton Park Gate Lodge, Takka Architects, a project that developed from a previous Open Door consultation. Picture: Alice Clancy

Funnily enough, people don’t like to be told something so simple as to write a basic list.

“They feel that taking out a pen and paper is too much like hard work but doing that will be the most beneficial thing you can do,” he says.

As for the second rule of the consultation club? “Go in with an open mind,” says Dermot.

The project in Macetown by Patrick Gilsenan, PG Architects.

“Too many times people want me to say [of their idea] ‘that’s great’. Lots of people want a little bit of a pat on the back for their idea. And you know what? Their idea might be fine.

"Maybe it’s the one thing that will make the project. But you need to allow your architect to do their job — even if their idea might be different to what’s in your head.”

Lastly, you need to “understand what your house can do” and bear in mind that “there’s always something you can attain” he adds.

OPEN MIND

“Go into it with an open mind and maybe you too can have a Ryan Gosling face,” he jokes.

“There’s always something you can attain, a window seat where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a way of cutting out clutter. There’s always something you can attain no matter what your budget. It’s back to the Ryan Gosling face. Creativity and compromise.”

And, he adds, no matter what people will say or how much his barber laughs: “I still see Ryan Gosling when I look in the mirror.”

To book your timeslot with an architect visit RIAISimonOpenDoor or follow the hashtag #NominateForRIAISimon to see the latest architects taking part
The RIAI Simon Open Door campaign will run from April 8-15

SPACE TO DREAM

Innumerable projects have arisen out of previous Open Door consultations including a house extension project in Macetown, County Meath, by Patrick Gilsenan, MRIAI, of award-winning PG Architects (PGArchitects).

An existing 1940s cottage was extended with a new contemporary L-shaped extension.