Grangegorman Residence / ODOS architects

Jul 2009

Uploaded by Nico Saieh — Filed under: Houses ,Selected , Aluminium, Ireland, ODOS architects

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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.

The break up of the the buildings main elements, defined in elevation by the horizontal structural lines, help to identify the structure and functions contained behind. The building profile is further strengthened with a deliberately weighted treatment to the openings at first and ground floor level adding to the aura of secrecy as to what’s contained within. An external terrace area has been provided at the front section of the upper floor, increasing the visual and physical depth of the open plan living accommodation. This is further emphasized by the full height frame less fixed glazing sections, visible on the front and rear elevations. The external screen to the deck area has been fabricated using vertical aluminum fins to match the satin-anodized aluminum cladding to the fixed and opening sections below. The irregular spacing of these fins gives this screen a semi-transparent appearance, particularly when viewed from a westerly direction and during the evening when it is illuminated from behind. This reduces the perceived bulk of the building, depending on the viewers position and alters the appearance of the structure over a twenty four hour period. The elevations become more transparent as you move from the ground floor up terminating in the upper floor external terrace.

The building is entered under a canopy, which extends internally to create a ‘suppressed’ area inside the front door, emphasizing a triple height stairwell beyond. The experience of this space is further enhanced through the introduction of a full width roof light running the full length of the building, flooding this volume with natural light. Accommodation comprises of a second floor open plan living, dining and kitchen space linked to the first floor bedrooms and bathroom by the triple height circulation zone. This circulation volume extends down to the ground floor providing access to the lower garage area the walled back garden behind and the paved front garden facing the street. The enclosed back garden, to the rear of the property, is seen as a landscaped courtyard which opens directly into the ground floor volume and is partially sheltered by the cantilevered structure above.

: ground floor plan

: first floor plan

: second floor plan

: front elevation

: rear elevation

Cite:
Saieh , Nico . "Grangegorman Residence / ODOS architects" 16 Jul 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 07 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/29150>

Comments (25)
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Links to this entry (5)

Brandon Pass says:

Very nice skin, well proportioned and a decent organization plan. but it looks to me that they are not too confident with the interior. seems to be many missed opportunities, overly simplistic detailing or lack of foresight into how the interior will ultimately be worn down. the exterior and interior seem to be two separate projects. this is the type of project that, to me, lacks self confidence. for example, non-lived in or photographed before the client has moved in. this is not the way architecture exists and is totally a cerebral execution of space and form. sometimes the client’s hideous sofa with polka dots DO exist and are an immovable force….deal with it. do not ignore it. the same way the partition at the stair with a drywall top will chip and scuff within weeks of move-in if not from the moving in of that beast of a sofa.

also…where the hell is the kitchen? I guess they need all that space to store all the carry-out detritus. nice but a bit awkward to say the least.

# July 16, 2009 at 13:27

diem thuyen says:

ugh, i love it. simple as it should be.

# July 16, 2009 at 14:07

tk says:

love your photo.

# July 17, 2009 at 08:57

and it’s not just me who lives amongst ugly traditional dwellings. i feel better. :)

# July 16, 2009 at 14:11

Alec Murgia says:

I think a good jop, resolved without anachronisms, nor baroque that appear today.

# July 16, 2009 at 14:46

zga says:

excellent

# July 16, 2009 at 15:44

Fino says:

bravo! And shelves! So thoughtful.

# July 16, 2009 at 15:50

doodittydo says:

‘i’d buy that for a dollar’

# July 16, 2009 at 15:56

sebastian says:

great, really like it.

# July 16, 2009 at 16:38

T.Nowicki says:

the glass is unbelievable. Does anyone know what kind of windows are those?

I like the pure design of this

# July 16, 2009 at 16:53

Javier says:

and the kitchen?

# July 16, 2009 at 20:00

David says:

beautiful!

# July 17, 2009 at 01:57

ormac says:

wow, thats subtile, nice

# July 17, 2009 at 06:46

Peter says:

Sleek, refined, clean, thoughtful, small AND beautiful. Well done.

# July 17, 2009 at 10:43

Sybok says:

I’m sorry guys, having to walk by this building every morning and afternoon, I can say confidently that this is an awful house. It pays no heed to the context or the local archetype; it’s finished in materials that won’t weather a single Irish winter untarnished and is, ultimately, a monument to the egos of the architects whose only concern seems to be how it will appear in the magazines in those first few months after completion.

# July 17, 2009 at 14:07

rek says:

diem thuyen mail me

# July 17, 2009 at 18:41

shawn says:

yeah i don’t get it. it looks very cheaply constructed, to save as much as possible by using nearly all similar materials and less labor. while at the same time probably asking more for “innovative” architecture.
if i lived in this thing, the color and shape would depress the crap out of me. it has no culture, no character.

# July 19, 2009 at 02:28

Lasse Lyhne says:

No culture, no character? Cheaply constructed?

I love that it does’nt reslove to standarts, I meen look at the shutters, the windows, the way the solid opens and reveal the MC garage (incorporated brilliantly).. They are so tightly done they almost give a tactile experience just from the photos..

But no it does’nt look like the old houses, and I strongly feel that it does’nt have to….
It’s like a little living machine that in scale, context and level of finish actually makes me think of Schröder House..

# July 20, 2009 at 17:49

helene says:

I was born in the house across the road from this monstrosity. Grangegorman Villas has been renowned for its architectural charm, quiet location and easy access to the City Centre but this whatsit absolutely destroys the look of the place. I currently have an option to buy back onto the street, but not now with that building on it. Funnily enough Grangegorman Villas were formerly used as residences for the staff of the Grangegorman Psychiatric Hospital, wonder if it was the work of a former staff member???

# September 24, 2009 at 07:36

Richie says:

‘Monstrosity’? Hardly. Is that the only word non-architects have to describe buildings which displease them?

# September 26, 2009 at 13:04

arnold says:

very nice modern Japan Architectural House :-).

# October 4, 2009 at 06:04

karen says:

Love the overall simplicity and optimum use of ‘limited space in the city’ – Would love to fill some of the light spaces with happy plants and african art…

# February 1, 2010 at 19:29

RAI says: