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.
ARCHITECT/DESIGN BY
Terence Cosgrove
BUILDER
Self-build with project manager
MATERIALS
Re-use of original materials where possible
Foundations | Concrete |
Roof | Natural Slate |
Walls | Block |
Insulation | High levels of insulation |
Finishings | Traditional rough cast render |
HEAT SOURCE
Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation System
Geothermal heat pumps and underfloor heating
Triple Glazing
WATER SOURCE
Water scheme
WASTE
GARDEN
Landscape lawn. Currently planting trees and borders to sheild the house from the road.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Moved in in July 2011 so just settling in and finding out how everything works.