EVP 8029 Rural Landscape and Design Stage 3: Individual Building in the Countryside 40007088
Contents
1. Introduction to the Site 2. Site Analysis 3. Exisiting Building Form 4. Landscape and Vegetation 5. Precedents 6. Explanation of Design 7-8. Final Design Proposal
Introduction to the Site | Magheralane Road Location This project is based on rural housing design with the context of ‘Rural Northern Ireland’. This site has been chosen specifically as a challenege to comply with PPS1 and gain full planning permission. In order to gain permission it must; integrate into the surrounding landscape, benefit acces and the design sould be of a high quality and appropriate to its rural setting.
Key Views
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The overall design of the Site is based on the context of the surrounding landscape as well as traditional building styles in area and the context of the wider surrounding countryside. The Site that I have chosen to develop is on the outskirts of Randalstown in County Antrim. The Site is situated in a northeast direction from the main town centre, along the Magheralane Road. It lies within a drumlin area with an uneven topography. The dwellling was once a family home in the early 1930’s but has since fallen into decline.At present the site is used for agricultural purposes by a local farmer and contains two large barns and a scattering of derelict stone dwellings. It is a large corner site that poses an eyesore to the main road as well as neighbouring homes. The site provides a unique opportunity to redevelop the dwellings to their original style, as well as adding a contemporary twist.
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Key views 1. Entrance 2. View North along the Magheralane Road 3. View along the lane to the east of the site 4.View of Southern access 5. View of Southeastern access
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Site Analysis | Magheralane Road Site Boundaries/ Access
Orientation/Sun Map N
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The Site is located on the right hand side of the Magheralane Road approximately 10minutes away from the centre of Randalstown by car. The Site sits at an awkward angle. As it is a corner site, it runs from a northern direction to a southeastern direction. The overall site is too large to develop as a whole (figure 1), so by localising the boundary to the supported barns and dwellings (figure2) the projected can be more focused on redevelopment, leaving the larger portion of land for agricultural and farming purposes. The site, present has 3 main access points, one from the Magheralane Road and two from the northeast and south east of the surrounding field. However it is key to point that as the site is an active
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Prevailing winds
agricultural site, one access point to and from the road may pose some problems.
Traditional Settlement Pattern Our modern rural environment is now a patchwork of different development patterns over time. Field enclosures had one of the most significant impacts on the landscape as they created distinguishable patterns. In the context of the site on Magheralane Road(3), the settlement pattern is quite informal, and shows characteristics of both a Courtyard Farmyard (1) and a Small holdings and Roadside Farmyard (2)
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Exisiting Building Form | Magheralane Road 1
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The Site I have chosen is situated just outside of Randalstown in Co. Antrim, in a northeast direction. It is a corner site along the Magheralane Road, compromised of 8 buildings, 2 of which were once used, as residential dwellings while the surrounding others remain agricultural based. The residential dwelling sits in an ‘L’ like shape, running along the north to west boundary of the site. This position sits directly beside the Magheralane Road, with approximately a 1.5m distance between each.
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The following photographs provide views of the site; the residential ruins, farming sheds and views of the surrounding green fields. 1. Original farm dwelling 2. Current shed, originally part of farm dwelling 3. Abandoned shed 4. Rear access to site 5. Large barn structure at front access 6. Large barn structure at back access 7. View of the surrounding field and boundary of site
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Landscape and Vegetation | Magheralane Road Local Landscape and Topography N
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The Site is situated among a patchwork of green fields that create a scenic countryside around Randalstown. These fields stretch for acres, and are outlined by hedgerows and trees. The landscape is not overly steep in terms of height, as many of the hills flow seamlessly into one another without severe gradients. The site itself is situated on a gradient of land that dips to the east and southeast. Not only is the landscape a patchwork of green, it is also dotted with small farm dwellings. This is due to the significant farming culture of the area. Numerous roads weave there way through the landscape that links small settlements and dwellings with each other and indeed Randalstown. The overall landscape surrounding the site is in very good condition with a lot of open fields, and very few woodland areas. Most of the land is used for grazing cattle and other agricultural purposes.
Vegetation and Wildlife
As the site is located in a rural setting, it is surrounding by natural vegetation. Within the immediate site, the stone walls are overgrown with ivy and reeds. The site boundaries compromise a mixture of wild hedgerows and larger trees. In terms of wildlife, the surrounding fields, and indeed the large area of land to the rear of the site are used for agricultural purposes to graze cattle and sheep. Other wild animals would include, foxes, badgers and several bird species.
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Precedents | Northern Ireland 1.Traditional building form
In terms of replacement dwellings, the design priorities should be to “Establish the right scale of the replacement building and make sure it fits comfortably on the original site and integrates well with retained outbuildings as well as mature landscape and features”. To get some inspiration for the following designs it’s neccessary to look at examples of different styles and how rural buildings have been designed.
2. Visual Integration
Sample 1 emphasies traditional building form. The house is a fairly good attempt at creating the ‘tradtional vernacular dwelling’. As an additional to this traditional styel, a large porch and sun room have been added. The large windows emphasise maximum lighting throughout the house. Sample 2 looks at 2 precedents which exmplify visual integration into the countryside. The are both replacement dwellings, building upon a pre existing dwelling, with minimal impact on the surrounding landscape and enviroment. There is also minimal impact on the overal aesthetics of the countryside. Both have maintained materials which were orginally used such as stone or corrugated iron, but have several modern touches too.
McAdam Stewart Architects
3. Replacement dwellings
Own house, Carrigart, Co. Donegal
Sample 3 show examples of replacement dwellings, where original dwellings were derelict and in ruins but have been transformed into modern residential buildings. These dwellings have deferred from the original style, but have, however, adapted the ‘long, low’ form of the Ulster farm house.
Aughy O’Flaherty Architects. Roslea
McGarry Moon Architects, Killea
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Explanation of Design | Magheralane Road Siting options
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Having the front of the residential dwelling running from east to west, allows for maximum natural sun exposure all day.
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Also, prevailing winds come from a south west direction the large barn close to the road will protect the dwelling. The residential building will be protected by larger surrounding buildings, but will still be exposed to the greates amount of natural lighting.
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Access
Before settling on an extact position of the building, it is a good idea to play about with different positions, in terms of sustainability, maximum natural light exposure and how it will impact on the site as a whole. The ‘lilac’ position of the original dwelling is best suited as it has the most shelter, best sun exposure and in a sense, greatest privacy as it folds in on the site Key
Prior to redevelopment the site had 3 access points, but only one was connected to the adjacent road. The remaing access points were through the surrounding field.
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As a means of better access, and moving agricultural vehicles away from the residential part of the site, another entrance will be created from the Magheralane Road. This will aim to go around the back of the site, providing access to sheds, barns and the large tank withouth disturbing the family
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Final Design Proposal | Magheralane Road In order for the designs to receive planning permission, it is crucial that they apply to PPS21. In relation to this specific site, the development should be granted permission on the ground that; “The overall size of the new dwelling house should allow it to integrate into the surrounding landscape and would not have a visual impact significantly greater than the existing building” “The design of the replacement dwelling should be of high quality, appropriate to its rural setting and have regard to its local distinctiveness”.
Sustainability of the Design
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To the left shows an impression of the site with the proposed new dwelling. However, as sustainability is such a big factor among architects and designers, it is crucial that the new dwelling is sustainable and has minimal impact on the surrounding landscape and environment. In order to make the building more sustainable solar panels will be introduced onto the roof and should be south facing for maximum exposure. Biomass heating can also be introduced to lower heating costs.
Traditional Materials
Although the dwelling for redevelopment is lying derelict and in ruins, some of the traditional materials used in its building remain. These would include the stone walls, exposed wooden doors and window frames as well as natural slate roofing. Surrounding barns also show old corrugated iron roofing. So that the new dwelling shows aspects that remind us of the previous dwelling, it would be appropriate to use similar, yet modern materials, such as rubble and exposed timber. The pitch of roof of the new dwelling will be quite low, between 30 and 40 degrees, and the dwelling as a whole is not particularly high – resembling that of a shally bungalow. In keeping with the ‘rural cottage’ feel, the roof will be thatched instead of using natural slate. This adds character to the cottage, making it more attractive as one would pass it along the road.
Contemporary Materials
With regards to the local landscape and surrounding environment, new hedgerows will be planted around the perimeter as to emphasise the boundary, access points and not to impact existing vegetation.
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Final Design Proposal | Magheralane Road The surrounding shots are of the final, proposed development of the dwelling on Magheralane Road. They show views from all angles of the house and how it integrates with the surrounding buildings and landscape. The new dwelling will be a small single storey, traditional cottage, designed in the shape of the letter ‘L’. The dwelling will have a simple layout, similar to its original layout and to rural cottages throughout the Northern Ireland countryside. At present the dwelling lies disconnected in two parts, therefore it was necessary to create a connection in the new design. This has been achieved by a glass curve. Internally it will act as a hallway with room for seating, however from the on-lookers perspective it adds to the overall aesthetics of the building, and reconnects the building. Long narrow windows are also in keeping with the original small windows of the building, however these will let in more light and add a modern aspect to this traditional cottage. The doors remain small in height yet quite wide, similar to the original design. Heavy wooden doors capture the feel of a traditional country cottage. By finishing the dwelling with modern rubble stone, and a thatched roof, the overall ‘traditional cottage’ style has been recaptured. The dwelling remains simplistic however it holds a lot of character. The aesthetics are quaint and blend well into the surrounding landscape. The style avoids the grandeur of many of the new builds we find in Northern Ireland’s countryside and returns the site to the original agricultural and residential site it was once used as.
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