TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS ON IRISH FARMS

ALTERNATIVE USES FOR OLD FARM BUILDINGS

Traditional long, narrow, single-storey farm buildings on the slopes of Knocknafreaghaun. Image via www.geograph.ie

A publication by the Heritage Council.

"Built by local builders, or the farmer himself, of readily available local materials and are truly vernacular architecture – We might even say that farm buildings of this type were sustainable before the concept was even considered".

A farm building reuse project we are working on in Carlow.

ALTERNATIVE USES FOR OLD FARM BUILDINGS

The current focus on rural development provides an opportunity to see old farm buildings as an asset in finding alternative income for farm families.  A range of small-scale uses for old buildings may be possible without substantial alteration.

• Unoccupied houses in working farmyards may be inhabited by a member of the family rather than converted to agricultural use
• Old farmyards can be converted for craft workshops or tourism and self-catering; this may be especially viable in suburban areas or close to tourist or walking routes
• Small-scale manufacturing industry, such as cheese- making, small-scale engineering, furniture making, and car maintenance offer other possible uses
• Extending dwelling houses by incorporating adjoining farm buildings is sometimes possible without undue removal of cross walls and other elements of the buildings
• Use of converted outbuildings for dwellings, holiday and self-catering accommodation may be permitted by the planning authority depending on the policies in the development plan.

Guidelines for the Repair and Maintenance of Traditional Buildings and Farmyards:

Ballinacarrig Farm Proposals, Carlow  - Hofler Architects

Consult your local authority conservation officer for advice on the repair of ‘listed’ farm buildings (those included in the RPS) and any grant aid available for such work.

Continue to use old farm buildings where possible

Avoid ‘gutting’ old buildings as this erases much of their historic value

Carefully site new buildings so as to avoid damaging an old yard

When repairing old farm buildings, like for like should apply.  Therefore similar materials to those used historically should be employed. These include stone, lime plaster and lime mortar, clay/mud, thatch, stone slates or flags, corrugated iron (round profile)

• Retain old roof structures – these are all too easily lost during re-roofing
• Retain old windows and doors
• Protect buildings from fire by ensuring that electrical installation is to modern standards
• Keep all stone walls in good repair, using stone similar to that in the wall if it needs to be repaired, and lime mortar with flush or recessed finish. On older buildings, it is generally not a good idea to use cement-based mortar or render to repair or plug gaps in old walls
•  Retain cobbled floors and yard surfaces where these survive
• Maintain and repair old timber and iron gates along with their piers and flanking walls
• Keep old farm machinery under cover to protect it from the elements
• Use traditional colour schemes and roof forms to help new buildings fit more easily into the overall complex
• Keep corrugated iron roofs and claddings in good order by painting with appropriate paints
• Keep a good source of water close by for dealing with fire
• Keep all wells and springs free of pollutants 

Download the Heritage Council publication "Traditional Buildings on Irish Farms"

National Rural Network - "Conservation of Old Farm Buildings" - Ireland

Contact Hofler Architects to discuss conservation and alternative uses for your farm buildings here - Hofler Architects

Read about the Rock Farm Straw Bale Project here

READ OUR LATEST BLOG ARTICLES HERE

Ireland's Largest Strawbale Building!

The Lime House guesthouse featured on RTE Nationwide.

Ireland's largest strawbale building designed by Paul Mulhern of SPACIOUS Architects is nearing completion at the Rock Farm, Slane Castle, Co. Meath.  The project was featured on tonight's Nationwide program on RTE (12 mins in). Finishing touches are being put to the eco guesthouse in preparation for the weekend's concert.  The program is available to view on RTE's Player for the next 20 days.

Rock Farm site plan at Slane showing all six straw bale buildings.

The Lime House is the Rock Farm Slane’s 2-storey, 6 bedroom eco guesthouse, which has been built out of straw bales and clay plaster with lime on the outside to provide healthy, environmentally-sound eco-tourism accommodation in the Boyne Valley. This guesthouse has been designed to the highest environmental construction standards, and in sympathy with the woodland, organic farmland and architecturally-protected parkland of Slane Castle just over the river from the development.  The Lime House is named after the adjacent stone ruins of a lime kiln which now forms a centre-piece of the new courtyard space to the front.

The Lime House and five other straw bale buildings including a rental cottage, worker's cottage, farm office and a family house for the owners were all designed by architect, Paul Mulhern.  The guesthouse, farm office and yurt camping are all now complete.

The rear of the Lime House, facing the farm.

Elevation drawing.

Side Elevation.

Perspective drawing of the Lime Home.

Strawbale, lime plaster, recycled timber materials.

• The Rock Farm, Eco tourism farm, Slane.
• Straw bale building.
• SPACIOUS Architects.  01-5585205

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[Designed while Paul was a partner in his previous practice].

On the Boards: A New-Build Costal Eco House

We have received planning permission for a new family dwelling in a beautiful costal setting overlooking Strangford Lough.  The site benefits from spectacular views through a 270-degree sweep.  Designing for a location as beautiful as this is difficult. We are not trying to do design gymnastics. We are fully considering what it is our clients want for their home and realising that through design excellence.

Site Plan of Proposed House & Boat House - Courtyard Opening to the Views and Sun.

Strangford Lough - Site Setting.

Proposed South Elevation - Sheltered Courtyard.

Our approach is based on:  Awareness of landscape; A simple palette of natural materials; Subtlety; Respect for rural built forms;  Withholding of views, affording glimpses on approach, finally revealing the full dramatic views;  Creating wonderful internal spaces with unexpected height & light; Forming a series of differing outdoor spaces which are protected from winds but yet avail of views; Considering orientation and sun position throughout the day;  Incorporating all appropriate sustainability measures to exceed all current requirements and to future-proof this new eco house.

We have included a level of richness by providing a play-loft, a second ‘short-cut’ stair which also functions as a bookcase, a study (computer) den for kids which is within view and has an eye-level slot window, creating a thickened wall that houses both indoor and outdoor fire-places (or barbeque), designing a master bedroom suite which has complete privacy, spectacular views, its own terrace, yet is adjacent to two children’s bedrooms;

Proposed Ground Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan - Planted Roof Over the Living Room.

West Facing Elevation.

Architectural Model for Client Discussion.

Contact Hofler Architects to discuss your project.  We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

Alterations to a Terraced Protected Structure, Dublin 6

House Elevation - Bessborough Parade.

Bessborough Parade, Rathmines, Dublin 6

Zinc Projecting "Oriel" to Bathroom

Proposal for Rear Dormer Window.

Projecting Zinc "Oriel" Contains the Bath

Converted Attic Space.

Section Drawing Through the House

New contemporary Hardwood Stair to Attic.

There are three main elements to this protected structure renovation project:

1. The addition of a projecting bath ‘oriel’ to the side wall of the rear return at first floor level. This zinc-clad element to the rear of the house facilitates proper access to the rear room of the return. The rear room is not currently useable as a bedroom as it can be accessed only through the bathroom. The oriel and the changes to the positions of partition walls in the return will result in a useable third bedroom. The only external materials to be used are standing-seam zinc and hardwood (windows and underside).

2. The attic has been converted to accommodate frequent-use storage space. The existing space is largely unencumbered by structural timbers but is slightly below the height standards to be used as a habitable room.  A contemporary hardwood stair with built-in storage below has been  installed to rise from the existing landing area. A rear-facing dormer window is proposed to provide natural light, ventilation and an increased area of headroom. As with the bathroom oriel, the external materials will be zinc and hardwood. The right-hand window sash (when viewed from the rear) has clear glass and is openable. It has been recessed by 340mm in order to blinker the view out and limit any possibility of overlooking. It looks out only over the roofs of the rear returns.  The left-hand window sash is non-openable and has opaque glass installed to allow light in but prevent views out.

3. The original roof coverings to the main house and return were removed and replaced by a previous owner with artificial slate. The works undertaken include removal of the artificial slate and replacement with natural Welsh slate on new battens and breathable felt. This significant improvement to the roofing materials is the only element of the works to this protected structure visible from the street.

RIAI Protected Structure Information Link.

Talk to SPACIOUS Architects to arrange a free, no-obligation initial consultation for your project.

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[Completed while Paul was a partner in his previous practice].