Contemporary villa in Dublin

Dublin based ODOS Architects have completed the restoration and extension of The Stables, a 18th Century farmhouse and stable complex in Ballymahon, Longford county, Ireland. This 4,840 square foot self-catering villa is composed of two buildings: the country house known as the Gold House, which includes the addition, and the stables, known as The Other Side. The Gold House was completed in December 2008 and the stables were finished in May 2010.

Each part of the residence is independent and offers a kitchen, a living/dining area, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The Gold House and The Other Side can be booked all year long: weekly rates vary from €1,350 to €1,750.

Farmhouse in Ballymahon by ODOS Architects:

“This collection of 18th Century farm buildings sit central to woodlands outside Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The existing buildings originally formed three sides of a courtyard. An old crumbling stonewall completed this courtyard. A new single storey wing replaces the old wall and provides open plan living kitchen and dining accommodation. To the rear, en-suite master bedroom accommodation has been provided.

The existing buildings have been restored to house varying accommodations, notably bedrooms, bathrooms, studio, garage & plant room. The introduction of this new wing is an attempt to complete the courtyard whilst allowing a visual transparency between the courtyard and the woodlands beyond. This is something, which is lacking in the existing collection of buildings. Large expanses of frameless glazing allow the user to engage with both the courtyard and the surrounding landscape. This is in stark contrast to the experience one feels when in the existing buildings. Their small aperatured interiors provide lowly lit spaces, which suggest secondary accommodation.

Externally, the oiled cedar cladding attempts to connect this new wing to its wooded surroundings whilst offering warmth of material to the inner courtyard, something that is lacking in the existing collection of stone, brick and slate buildings. The use of highly aggregated sand blasted concrete tonally links this new wing to the existing collection of buildings. The new wing has been raised off the ground to give it a float-like quality. This contrasts against the routed character of the existing buildings. This wing has been ‘skewered’ through the existing two storey farmhouse allowing the surrounding landscape to flood into the inner courtyard.

The protruding section to the rear of the farmhouse, houses the master bedroom accommodation and forms an ‘eye’ to the surrounding woodland. The extended raised terrace off the dining area is an attempt to hold an edge to the courtyard. The mobile quality of this new wing, when viewed from the surrounding woodlands, suggests an ‘inhabited’ sliding door has been opened onto the surrounding.”

Modern hideaway on the Icelandic countryside

This remarkable vacation house design called Casa G is located in the beautiful countryside of Iceland. Designed by Gudmundur Jonsson Architects, this modern vacation home combines mixed materials throughout of concrete, stone, wood and glass, resulting in a two storey home that is in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Inspiration for the home was taken based on the encompassing landscape. The concept design of this amazing house was to provide different panoramic views from each side of the home. A curved wall with its complementing curved ceiling provides a break in the linear lines of the home. The exterior view of this vacation house has some beautiful landscape differences distinctively in each direction, south the view to the sea and islands, north the characteristic triangular mountain and east a stunning glacier that appears as a painting experienced from the interior. The guest-wing of the structure stretches to the canyon and the river towards the west. Thus the building concept is a composition and dialogue of views and experiences with nature.

Stunning 18th century home hideaway in the Wicklow Mountains

Located in County Wicklow, Ireland, an hour away from Dublin, this beautiful 2,809 square-foot, three-bedroom country house features a small guest cottage and Turkish bath. The cluster of stone buildings dates back to the 18th century, set on eight acres of rolling hills overlooking the valley of Glendalough. The main part of the home features a glass-roofed conservatory that runs the span of the home, from the front door to the back, connecting the two wings of the residence. One side of the wings hosts the common areas, which includes an informal den, a library, and a kitchen with handmade wood cabinetry, pink marble countertops and an Aga stove which is a popular British oven constructed from iron and enamel. Just off the kitchen is a terrace with incredible views of the valley. The living room features a very charming stone fireplace, arched windows and French doors that meander out into an enchanting garden.

The other side of the wing hosts the more private areas of the home, the three bedrooms, two of which feature en suite bathrooms. The home has ample natural daylight with the help of numerous skylights located throughout. One of the buildings of the home has a Turkish bath house, which includes a steam room and exercise space on the first floor, with a bedroom and en-suite bath on the upper floor. There is a third house on the property, which is the guest house, featuring a living area, kitchen and two bedrooms with a bathroom. The grounds also play host to a swimming pool, tennis court and plenty of lush meandering gardens. The best part about this house is that the poet, William Butler Yeats was so inspired while once visiting this home that he wrote a poem about it called, “Stream and Sun at Glendalough.” Via

Photos: Derek Spiers