Eamonn and Margaret Cosgrove

LMN32

INSPIRATION

This site originally had the architect's family home on it; it was a large rendered stone house with brick chimneys over-looking Ballinagar church. The house had been refurbished many times over the previous 30-35 years but underlying problems such as dampness and high maintenance and heating costs led to a decision to take action. After considering retrofitting they decided against it and asked their son Terence to design something new for them. They wanted a traditional style house with bright spaces and low maintenance.

TYPE OF HOUSE

Modern new build.

POINT OF INTEREST

On a very prominent site near the church, when work started on demolishing the old house it generated a lot of interest locally. Everybody in the area could see the development and progress of the new home.
From the very solid old house that once stood there emerged a light-looking modern house.

ECO ELEMENTS

Geo-thermal heat pumps
Mechanical heat recovery system
Re-use of the materials from the old house:
Reused all the old stone work
Timber to be used for the stove
Brick from the chimney re-used
Fireplace restored
Triple glazing

CREATIVE ELEMENTS

The front of the house is full of glass/windows making it extremely light and airy.
Use of copper cladding around one of the windows adds a lovely distinctive feature.
Working for his parents Terence had to combine his wish for a modern design with his parents' wish for a somewhat 'traditional looking' home. Elements from both have been bought together to make a unique home.
Eamonn has a quiet seating area where he can look out over the fields to his homeplace.