The Cliff House,
Howth, County Dublin

A contemporary extension in one of the most dramatic and sensitive locations in Dublin

Project Description

The opportunity to design a structure for a site like this does not come along often.

The opportunity, however, comes with a responsibility: to consider the visual and physical impact that any intervention may have on this sensitive location. It became clear from the outset that any proposed design would constitute an architecture of invisibility.

Building within the landscape

We recognise that, for a location such as this, the proposal should enhance and respect its environment. For us, success will depend on:

Tight integration of the architecture and landscaping proposals
The selective use of natural materials to integrate the house into its environs
Embracing existing landscaping features, including retaining mature trees on site
Responding to the sloping topology of the site and allowing this to inform the internal organisation of the proposed extension
Selected framing of the stunning views across the landscape whilst minimising potential for overlooking.

Materials

By embracing the ideology of integrating the proposal into its natural environment, there really was little left to design. Extensive glazing, offering panoramic views from the new living spaces, is designed as horizontal slots and resembles a cliff edge, allowing the roof landscaping to spill over and breaking up hard lines.

Gabion cages filled with locally salvaged stones would serve as the outer face of many of the structure's solid elements, and, again, cliffside vegetation would be encouraged to take root, greening the structure over time.

Visual Impact

To assess the visual impact, extensive 3D modelling was carried out throughout the design process, and numerous photo montages were prepared. It was clear that only the roof of the proposal would be visible from the public cliff path, albeit by someone determined to peer over the high fence. Additionally, the available views from the access road to the Bailey lighthouse were distant, and the proposal was largely obscured by the existing cottage.