Monaghan, Ireland 2024

Situated on a steep and challenging site in County Monaghan, this proposed family dwelling is carefully designed to respond to the natural contours of the land. The architecture is informed by the topography, allowing the building to nestle into the hillside while minimising the need for extensive retaining walls, reducing the impact on the landscape and preserving the site’s natural character. The front of the house is organised around a new courtyard, creating a welcoming entrance sequence and an outdoor space that is both sheltered and intimate. At the rear, the layout maintains privacy for the family while opening up to expansive views of the surrounding countryside.

Internally, the plan centres around the clients’ desire for generous, open-plan kitchen, living, and dining spaces. These areas are carefully positioned to maximise daylight penetration, natural ventilation, and visual connection to the landscape. The interior sequence promotes a fluid relationship between rooms, with a clear hierarchy between social and private spaces. The integration of level changes within the site allows the dwelling to feel dynamic and connected to the terrain, providing a series of framed views and moments of connection with the outdoors.

The material palette reinforces the dwelling’s relationship with both site and programme. The two-storey sleeping accommodation is clad in charred black timber, giving the upper volume a bold, contemporary expression that contrasts with the more grounded, textural living areas clad in locally inspired flint stone. The natural slate roofing provides a subtle, durable finish that ties the building to regional architectural traditions. The combination of these materials emphasises contrast and texture while reinforcing a sense of permanence, craftsmanship, and sensitivity to context.

The overall design balances modern architectural language with respect for the rural landscape. By carefully considering topography, spatial organisation, materiality, and views, the dwelling creates a home that is both functional and experiential, offering a strong connection to the site and an enduring architectural presence that responds to the natural and cultural context of County Monaghan.