A country house in the rolling hills of County Cork required a new extension accommodating a living room and main bedroom. The new extension takes the form of the existing buildings as its starting point transforming the typology of the classical house into an architectural sculpture, while also creating unique spatial situations and references both inside and outside. The vacillation between classic house and expressive sculpture creates an interesting frisson.
Within, the materialization is deliberately kept simple in order to make the changing light atmospheres on the white curved surfaces and the interplay of lines tangible.
The curved flights of stairs connect the living level on the first floor with the elevated bedroom which is level with the ridge of the hill.
The house extension is constructed in timber. Similar to the boat building techniques, a ribbed construction of timber was created, onto which several layers of plywood were bowed.
In order to retain the sculptural character of the building, the timber construction was covered with several layers of slate grey liquid polymer.
A harmonious yet expressive ensemble of buildings is created, alternating between classic house and expressive sculpture.
The new bedroom extension is elevated onto the hill in order to further embed the house into its surroundings and from where the view of the wild, romantic Irish landscape can be enjoyed.