Overlooking the changeable Atlantic seascape in south west Ireland stands the House at Goleen, a project undertaken by the practice of Niall McLaughlin Architects for the renovation of a cottage which had been on the site for some time and had fallen into serious disrepair, and its supplementation by an extension which would satisfy the needs of the client.
In this area famed for its outstanding beauty, the cottage was located on a high point of the site, located between a stream and a sharp cliff face and then followed a sloping route towards the sea, it was this aspect which proved to play a defining role in the design of the extension.
The project began by stripping back the original house and painting it a stark white which contrasted with its pitched roof which was topped with natural slate. Leading from the main house, a series of free standing structures were created, proudly contemporary sculptural forms which mirrored the shape of the traditional cottage through the sectioned sloping roofs. Clad in Irish blue limestone, a material which would weather naturally and blend with hues of the nearby cliffs, has the property of becoming reflective when wet, adding an interesting element to the design.
The four structures are linked by a series of paths and five courtyards and even a small bridge which crosses a pool. The entrance to the home is via a glass lobby on the lower level and the first limestone building in which the Master bedroom and bathroom are to be found, this leads to the next structure and the dining room and kitchen. The next two pieces contain the living room and a separate study and the original cottage on the highest ground has now become the guest rooms. An articulate design project which succeeds in retaining the heritage of the traditional cottage and provides the client with a spacious home with excellent views of the islands of west Cork.
