mccullough mulvin architects builds Z square house in irish back yard

irish studio mcculough mulvin architects has shared with us images of the Z square house built on the back end of a large property with an edwardian house in south dublin. the guest home is designed to occupy a rather square footprint and utilizing the spatial qualities typical of an islamic house, contains two private gardens that cut into the interior from opposite corners of the plan. large operable glass walls framing these courtyards open to allow the interior to become fully exterior, allowing with it ample natural sunlight and cross ventilation.

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny (also main image)

the primary structure consists of a reinforced concrete shell leaving an exposed soffit in the interior broken up by voids that frame large skylights. wooden built-in fixtures and floor boards bring warmth to the concrete structure, re-appearing as the cedar cladding of the second-level which contains the bedroom and bathroom and offers more privacy than the ground floor. the exterior walls on grade are composed of granite stone that form a natural looking wall from the primary house and a backdrop for the garden that separates the two structures.

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

image by henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny

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project info:

location: rathmines, dublin
year: design-completion – 2008-2010
collaborator: client – confidential
structural engineers: kavanagh mansfield and partners
mechanical and electrical engineers: mcardle mcsweeney
quantity surveyors: john skelly
main contractor: eamonn hassett construction/pierce healy developments
photography: henrietta williams/ mary-louise halpenny