On The Bay

Private house, Connemara, Co. Galway

This project consists of the extension and refurbishment of a shoreline cottage facing south across Galway Bay towards The Burren and County Clare.

The site is bounded by an existing dry stone wall built from large granite rocks, and the foreshore between the house and the sea is populated with large rock formations, shallow pools and seagrass. The site very exposed so the new house had to be designed to be able to withstand the brunt of heavy weather coming in from the Atlantic.

The clients wanted to extend the cottage in a way that would make the most of the view across the bay. As such, the extension was designed as a simple, low pavilion placed directly between the cottage and the sea. The elongated building form and sharp roof edge give the building a low horizontal emphasis helping the building to blend into the background when seen from the shoreline.

The pavilion is lifted several steps above the floor level of the existing house and appears to hover above the ground. A wide timber-lined link connects the library space in the cottage to the new extension. This new link frames a panoramic view to the sea and is an enjoyable surprise to encounter when moving through from the old part of the house.

A raised terrace with a fireplace is set to the side of the extension to allow the inner spaces to have a clear and direct connection to the sea. The roof of the extension projects out beyond the concrete terrace, shading the south-facing windows. Rainwater falls off the roof directly into the ground below enabling the eaves to appear as a crisp line, avoiding the need for gutters and downpipes. The concrete terrace that lines the seaward face of the house is set at seat height providing a welcome place to enjoy the view.

The living spaces of the extension are bright due to north-facing clerestory windows which run along the length of the building. Walls are lined in oak veneer giving a warm appearance to the space. The living spaces of the new pavilion flow easily into the living spaces of the cottage ensuring that the two buildings work together comfortably.

Renovation and extension to a Rural Cottage

Completed 2024