Engineered for light: This uplifting Ballincollig home really shines

The smartly presented home has hit the market for €680,000

The Laurels, Ballincollig

Ballincollig, Cork City
€680,000
Size	177sq m (1,905sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2
BER	A3

There's a peace of mind in knowing that a structural engineer had an input into the house you’re considering buying: It adds a layer of reassurance that its most critical elements are performing as they should be.

At The Laurels the owner could draw on his own professional expertise when designing their home. A structural engineer in his father’s Ballincollig-based firm, Denis O’Sullivan & Associates Consulting Engineers, Brian O’Sullivan had good connections in the construction industry when he set out to build his own home. Having done work with builders Murnane & O’Shea, he engaged them for the project in 2014. In fact himself and his father commissioned them to build two neighbouring homes on Main Rd, Ballincollig.

“We were looking for a modern, bright house, convenient to everything and very comfortable to live in,” Brian says.

The house delivered in spades. Natural light is at a premium throughout. The window count (all Aluclad) is high. A half apex window over the front door is architecturally pleasing and light enhancing. A long picture window lights up the staircase. Veluxes are plentiful in the upstairs rooms. Tall wraparound glazing overlooking a patio in the open-plan kitchen/ dining/ living area captures light from the south and the west, while the kitchen area is brightly lit by a smaller corner window.

Even though The Laurels is more than 10 years old, it looks smooth and new, and uncluttered too, bolstered by the use of polished concrete in the main living area. It’s a clean, contemporary look that reflects the light, making the space feel even brighter.

“We wanted a limestone mix and the only John A Woods quarry that could guarantee what we wanted was in Carrigtwohill, so it came from there. Murnane & O’Shea poured it and Limerick-based Concrete Concepts did the grinding and polishing,” Brian says.

Brian was particular too when it came to energy efficiency. Although heat pumps were relatively new at the time, it’s what he opted for, as he also wanted underfloor heating on the ground floor and heat pumps are very efficient in this respect. The house has an excellent A3 energy rating — good news for buyers.

“The heat level is constant and very comfortable, but never overpowering because we have a heat recovery ventilation system as well,” Brian says.

Selling agent Norma Healy of Sherry FitzGerald emphasises that the property is “close to everything, two minutes to Tesco, two minutes to the Talbot Hotel for a swim”.

She adds that while on Main Rd, The Laurels is a “very private site” with a good south/southwest orientation in the rear garden/patio area.

Because the three-bed is in such good shape and so easy to maintain, Ms Healy envisages interest across the market.

“I think I will see traders-up and some first-time buyers, but it I think it will particularly appeal to downsizers living further out, as it’s in the centre of Ballincollig, and so easy to live in with very little maintenance,” the agent says.

Ms Healy is guiding the 1,900sq ft property at €680,000.

VERDICT: Uplifting light levels at this smartly-presented, good-as-new, aesthetically pleasing home.