AN unassuming family home in Holywood has clinched the coveted House of the Year award after two terrace dwellings were united into one beautifully appointed property.
The Light House marks the fourth consecutive win for architects, McGonigle McGrath, in the hotly contested competition operated by the Royal Society of Ulster Architects.
This is the first time the winner has been a ‘re-use and extend project’ as it’s been described.
That follows the transformation of two houses into one, following the expansion of a family who were able to purchase the house next door when it came on the market.
In an undisclosed investment by the residents, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) reveals the history of the project which dates back to 2002.
“The clients first purchased one of the terraced dwellings,” said an RIBA statement. “A few years later they were able to purchase the neighbouring property, and undertook some modest alterations to integrate the two properties through a number of basic connections.
“As their family grew, however, and it became clear that this would be their main family home for some time, they engaged the architects to transform and properly unite the two houses into one ‘light house’.”
The initial aim was to create a modest extension to make an open-plan living within the dining and kitchen areas between the house and garden, while maximising opportunities for connections, with the intention to to retain as much of the original fabric as practicably possible.
It was during the early stages of construction however, that the poor build quality of the existing rear extensions led to a decision to rebuild them, with that having to be done within planning permission.
New plans were then agreed by the clients and architects who reimagined the project brief to further remodel the general arrangement at the rear of the house.
While lines of sight out to the water at the front of the house were a compelling design driver for the interior, the building’s rear and the private garden were not forgotten.
“Overall, the result is a series of delightful spaces, some retained and refurbished, some newly conceived and created; all maximising the modern luxuries of space and light, with constant views through and to the Lough,” according to RIBA.
“As soon as one crosses the threshold, the ambition, vision and collaboration of both client and architect are evident in every light-filled and carefully detailed room. All this is brought together as a clever, connected, contemporary home.”
The contractor behind the project was Roskyle Construction, with structural engineering coming from McAuley Browne and Paul Watson acting as quantity surveyor/cost consultant.
