Architect: MacGabhann Architects
Team Credits: Tarla MacGabhann, Antoin MacGabhann, Niels Merschbrock & Barry Maguire
Completed: 2006-2007
Awards: Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Public Choice Award
Best house 2008 Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Irish Architecture Awards 2008
Photographic Credits: Dennis Gilbert

Standing vigilant over a northern Fjord in Ireland, the Tuath na Mara Residence, by MacGabhann Architectsappears solid as a rock. Zinc clad for resilience, the low slung house blends seamlessly into the heather-covered rocky landscape, its own seams, echoing the strata of surrounding rocks. Contrasting a well hunkered core, the roof line warps and twists upwards like wonderful grey weathered seaweed, revealing the surrounding views to the living areas. Read the rest of this entry »

Architect: ODOS Architects
Project Type: Restoration and extension, residential.
Location: Ballymahon, Ireland

The Dublin based practice of ODOS architects takes a humanistic approach to their work by prioritizing the users functional needs, and their relationship to nature. This private residence features a refurbishment and extension of the existing farmhouse and stable complex in Ballymahon, Co.Longford. The 450 sqm. addition emphasizes elongated rooms with plenty of opportunities to view and connect with the surrounding exterior. Rich, warm wood clads the exterior facade as a high contrast to the surrounding buildings; this makes the home addition a place of interest as you approach the entry.Traditional Portland Cement was replaced with environmentally friendly Eco-CEM and the house boasts a renewable energy source in it’s high-efficiency wood pellet boiler which supplies the underfloor heating.- ODOS Architects Read the rest of this entry »

The landscape architects at Martha Schwartz Partners designed the square to be the main attraction of the newly renovated Dublin riverfront; with the completion this month of architect Daniel Libeskind’s Grand Canal Theater on the its southern perimeter, the plaza is now just that, a great connector and main meet-up spot that establishes the theater in relation to the river, to the surrounding buildings, and to the vital spirit of Dublin itself. Read the rest of this entry »

Architects: ODOS architects
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Construction: SHALE Construction
Constructed Area: 140 sqm
Design Year: 2006
Construction Year: 2007-2008
Photographs: Ros Kavanagh and Barbara Corsico

This new residential development, for a motorcycle enthusiast, adjacent to No.10 Grangegorman Villas, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 is an alternative reaction to the more traditional city centre infill residential projects; an unapologetic piece of architecture sitting within a strong urban context defined by both site and planning constraints. The building is essentially two living plates over a workshop connected by a vertical service and circulation core. While the character of this new structure is unmistakably contemporary it has been designed to sit discreetly within its more traditional context, while giving the end of the terrace the strong presence it deserves. Read the rest of this entry »

Architect: Daniel Libeskind
Location: Dublin Docklands, Ireland
Principal in Charge: Stefan Blach
Project Leader: Gerhard Brun
Project Team: Feargal Doyle, Patrick Cox, Andreas Baumgärtner, Matthias Rühl, Toralf Sümmchen, Anna Poullou, Guillaume Chapallaz, Nathaniel Lloyd, Jens Jessen, Jens Hoffman, Kaori Hirasawa, Luca Mangione, Anja Bungies and Christian Müller
Client: Ramford Limited, Chartered Land
South Office Block Area: 21,092 sqm
Theatre Area: 13,768 sqm
North Office Block Area: 33,320 sqm
Budget: $269.9M USD
Project Year: 2009-2010
Photographs: Ros Kavanagh

The concept of the Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial Development is to build a powerful cultural presence expressed in dynamic volumes sculpted to project a fluid and transparent public dialogue with the cultural, commercial and residential surroundings whilst communicating the various inner forces intrinsic to the Theatre and office buildings. This composition creates a dynamic urban gathering place and icon mirroring the joy and drama emblematic of Dublin itself. Read the rest of this entry »