Blog Layout
Ballynaskea -Enfield, Co. Meath
Neville Carson • August 14, 2022
Ballynaskea - Under Construction 2022
This new-build family home has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of traditional forms on a flat rural site in County Meath. The arrangement of the volumes creates a formal arrival to the front door that ensures privacy to the main living spaces of the home. Upon entry, the house opens up to the garden to the rear, with large areas of glazing taking advantage of the landscape views beyond. A covered external patio allows for outdoor living in all weather conditions, with the extension of the stone screen wall on the front elevation ensuring privacy from the driveway.
The style of the dwelling is a contemporary take on the traditional vernacular, with a simple palette of materials including smooth render and natural stonework.
Healy McKeown Blog
Ballynaskea - Under Construction 2022
The importance of bespoke layout design… At Healy McKeown Architects, our design projects are all produced bespoke to each client. This is critical to a successful design project as each client has an individual brief, layout requirements and site. Every site has its own characteristics and features that must be considered when designing, including the orientation, sun-path, views from the site, views of the site from other vantage points and privacy considerations. As part of the design process, in the initial stages we will engage with our clients in a design brief meeting, where the aim is to gather as much information as possible from the outset to get a clear picture of our clients’ requirements, likes/dislikes and ideas to be considered. As every client lives differently, this meeting is essential to ensure that the layout meets the criteria for the client and allows them to build a home that not only suits, but enhances their lifestyle. The importance of a successful layout cannot be understated, how rooms flow from one to the other, the ability to separate spaces in open-plan living arrangements, and also how money can be saved by cutting down on unnecessary circulation space, ensuring that every square foot of your new home is used and wasted space is reduced. A bespoke layout ensures that each space inside your home can take advantage of any features your site has to offer, whether it is a sea or mountain view from the kitchen sink, or a sunrise view from the master bedroom. For clients who have purchased a site with existing full planning permission, it is important to consider whether the approved plan is suitable for you and your lifestyle. It can often be very straightforward to submit a new planning application with a home that has been designed bespoke for you, to ensure you are starting your build on the right path from the outset. It is always cheaper to make changes on the paper than it is on the construction site. If you are just starting out on your build journey, or if you have recently purchased a site feel free to get in contact with us today for your free initial consultation.
SCHOOL HILL Size 2300ft2 Completed 2020 This contemporary single storey dwelling provides a haven nestled in the Glens of Antrim. With views over the Antrim Coast Road, this house is dual aspect to frame the coast and ensure natural light is taken full advantage of throughout the day. The arrangement of three single storey blocks allows for an extremely functional plan, dividing the home into public and private wings, along with a fully separate master suite wing. Each wing opens out onto a private south facing courtyard garden. Every square foot of floor space is utilised in this new home, with generous spaces including a stunning vaulted open plan kitchen. The use of natural slate and stone, alongside the simple smooth tender finish allows the dwelling to integrate into its rural surroundings. This is a stunning example of a modern single storey dwelling; a home that fully redefines the term ‘bungalow’, and makes it a possibility for anyone.
