pacstudio ARCHITECTURE+ENVIRONMENTS
PROFILE - WINTER 2023/24
PAC STUDIO: ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTS Our Vision Founded in 2007 by Graham Petrie and Peter Crowley, PAC Studio is an architectural and environmental design practice based in Dublin. Our vision is to craft unique architectural solutions embedded with environmental sensibilities, creating places and spaces that positively impact both people and the planet. Commitment to Excellence: Crafting Distinctive and Sustainable Solutions Our approach is underpinned by good briefing, developing a shared vision for each project leading to a unique, tailored solution. Our focus is on delivering exceptional projects, working closely with our clients to find opportunities to deliver projects that reflect and surpass expectations, without compromising on program, quality, or budgetary frameworks. Diverse Expertise, Personal Touch Our directors maintain hands-on involvement in projects, ensuring a seamless blend of leadership and expertise. This practice structure has been instrumental in building lasting relationships with our diverse clientele, which includes the Office of Public Works, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Housing Associations and Local Government Agencies, alongside numerous private companies and individuals. Our portfolio is as diverse as our client base, encompassing private and communal housing developments, office/ work spaces, healthcare facilities, and numerous civic projects. Collaboration: Merging Ideas and Technology A key aspect of our practice is collaboration. We enjoy and welcome the collective strengths of the designers, contractors, and artisans we work with, providing opportunities for better designed, crafted, and constructed solutions. Our design process allows for inclusive and transparent communication all stages, utilizing physical models, sketches, detailed drawings, and BIM modelling to ensure clear understanding of the design development through every stage to the completed project.
We don’t just design buildings - we create inspiring, enduring environments that bring together elegant simplicity with sustainable design principles. Left: PAC Studio are based within a former distillery complex, located in the historic quarter of Dublin 8 Below: Our approach towards energy-concious refurbishments helps to breathe new life into existing buildings
OUR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE At PAC Studio, we don’t just design buildings; we craft experiences. Our commitment to quality is the cornerstone of our success, ensuring every project exceeds client expectations - this is reflected in the number of repeat commissions and recommendations we receive. With our robust Project Management Quality Assurance systems, we guarantee not just the delivery of high quality projects, but also adherence to budgets and programme. Your peace of mind is our priority. 20+ Years of Architectural Innovation Our directors bring over two decades of expertise to the table, with our specific experience in delivering low-energy, high-impact designs. At PAC Studio, innovation and sustainability lead at every stage, as recognised by the numerous awards and recommendations received over the years. From Vision to Reality Our client experience through the development of every project is comprehensive – from initial sketches to final handover and beyond. We’re not just architects; we’re storytellers, turning your vision into an elegant architectural solution. Designing for the Future Our designs don’t just look good; they feel good. We integrate environmental strategies with creative architecture, with a focus on natural light, passive solar heating, and effective ventilation. This approach ensures our spaces and places aren’t just beautiful, but also energy-efficient and comfortable in use. Building Relationships, Beyond Buildings Our commitment extends beyond project completion. We stay connected, gathering feedback and conducting post-occupancy research to continuously refine and enhance our designs. This ongoing partnership adds long-term value, adding to the success of our projects over time. Empowering Our Team Continuous Professional Development is key in our practice. We encourage our staff to specialize in areas such as Energy Efficient Design, Conservation, Landscaping and Planning Policy, ensuring our team is at the forefront of architectural innovation.
Photograph: Donal Murphy
Photograph: Alice Clancy
WORKING ENVIRONMENTS At PAC Studio, our work has been celebrated for our commitment to creating exceptional working environments. We have successfully delivered a diverse range of working environments, transforming existing office spaces with cutting-edge refurbishments and constructing new, bespoke headquarters for both Government Agencies and clients in the private sector.
Redefining Workspaces Our expertise is not just limited to new constructions. We have a rich history of carrying out complex retrofit, refurbishment, and adaptive re-use projects, including those involving protected structures. Our efforts have reinvigorated old spaces, infusing them with new purpose, environmental performance and functionality for both public agencies and private sector clients.
Sustainable Designs for Tomorrow’s World Central to our philosophy is the creation of environmentally efficient buildings. We seek to challenge the norms of high capital and operational costs typically associated with highly serviced structures. We strive to align the predicted performance of our buildings with the actual user experience and energy demand in operation. This approach enables us to continually refine our designs for optimum efficiency and value.
Collaborative and Proactive Building Management Our work doesn’t end with the construction of a building. Where the opportunity exists, we engage in proactive research of the building in use, working closely with our clients to suggest and implement strategic interventions to the building fabric and systems. These modifications often result in a multitude of benefits: a boost in staff morale, lower energy consumption, and an overall more healthy, adaptable and enjoyable working environment - one that can easily adjust to changing work patterns and spatial needs.
Life Cycle Analysis A prime example of our sustainable design ethos in action is the Limerick County Hall Civic Offices. In this project (delivered between 1999 and 2003 whilst with Bucholz McEvoy Architects), our commitment to natural ventilation and maximized daylight use in the office spaces drastically reduced the dependency on artificial lighting and eliminated any need for cooling/ conditioning of the spaces. When we revisited the project as part of a ‘post-occupancy’ research project with the University of Limerick in 2011, our recommendations for adjusting operation of the heating and lighting systems led to over 30% savings in overall energy demand annually. This research project served as a valuable learning tool, offering insights and benchmarks for the delivery of low energy/ high comfort working environments that continue to guide our design process. Photograph: Michael Moran
Irish Coast Guard Station, Bunmahon, County Waterford Our project for the Irish Coast Guard Service in collaboration with the Office of Public Works is located on a unique headland of the ‘Copper Coast’, within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Special Area of Conservation. The construction phasing of the project had to be carefully managed to avoid disturbing colonies of protected bird species along the adjacent cliffs, largely achieved through our design of a prefabricated mass timber frame and roof deck for rapid installation on site. The building has been designed to partially nestle into the sloping terrain, with gabion stone baskets forming a ‘plinth’ and in some areas and forming retaining walls at the higher ground levels. The triangular plan form accommodates the main garage space, along with separate internal volumes containing the shower and drying/ changing areas, along with an office, training/ operations rooms and supporting store areas for the 18 volunteer staff undertaking cliff rescue operations. In section, the mono-pitch roof form slopes up from the low point on the south west corner, rising up to the entrance over the vehicle garage, to reduce the overall volume and mass when seen on the cliff top setting, and the overall pressure of the prevailing winds from the sea and cliffs. A planted roof further helps to blend the building into the landscape. The external double skin of the building is wrapped in translucent polycarbonate to give high levels of insulation and daylight to the interiors, reducing energy demands in operation. The facilities were officially opened in December 2023 by two Ministers of State, Jack Chambers and Patrick O’Donovan, and included the return of the original and restored ‘Rocket Cart’ to the site. Left: Garage space with the Rocket Cart Below: Translucent skin wraps the exterior of the building, over a base of gabion stone baskets.
Photograph: Paul O’Connell
Left: Office areas with high level mass timber and polycarbonate skin to the exterior Above: Views out to the headlands and bay of Bunmahon from the Operations Room
Photograph: Paul O’Connell
Photography: Donal Murphy
Chapterhouse: Public Appointments Service, Dublin Our refurbishment of this city centre office for the Office of Public Works involved the redesign of three floors of this ‘deep plan’ office building. The design transforms a conventional office space into an oasis of tranquillity, ideally suited for public service job interviews. At the core of our design is the atrium space, a pivotal element that introduces natural light deep into the building’s heart. This area, which houses the reception desk and waiting area, becomes a focal point of calm and welcome. Olive trees provide organic focal points, enhancing the space’s natural, soothing atmosphere with acoustic timber slatted baffles lining both ceilings and walls. Branching off from this central hub are multiple interview rooms and meeting spaces, designed with utmost consideration for privacy and ease of movement. We tackled the challenge of maintaining confidentiality for interview candidates with innovative ‘way-finding’ elements, subtly guiding individuals to their destinations. The use of coloured panels, distinct carpet patterns, and timber linings serve as discreet navigational aids, leading candidates to interview suites while maintaining an atmosphere of calm throughout. The execution of this project was meticulously phased to ensure uninterrupted operation across the various floors. Our team project managed the project on-site, navigating the complexities of COVID-19 lock-downs, delivery limitations, and spatial constraints inherent to a city centre location. This careful management ensured minimal disruption while achieving our high standards of project delivery. Left, and overleaf: Central atrium core and olive trees around waiting space Below: Reception desks folded to allow for wheelchair accessible space with timber linings throughout
Photography: Donal Murphy
Department of Foreign Affairs, Balbriggan Our project for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Balbriggan is designed to promote employee well-being. Our team successfully transformed an existing space within an existing business campus to accommodate over 200 staff, creating a working environment that is both functional and inviting. The layout was meticulously planned to include a range of office areas, dedicated meeting and training rooms, alongside support functions including breakout spaces, tea stations and a large canteen with roof garden for rest and relaxation. A pivotal aspect of our design was addressing the fully glazed façades, particularly with the challenges of overheating. Our solution was to install rotating vertical timber ‘fins’ on the south-facing offices, allowing staff to adjust solar shading throughout the day. A strategically placed high-level ‘light shelf’ reflects natural light onto tilted, suspended acoustic ceiling panels, enhancing daylight in office spaces. The fabric ceiling panels suspended below an exposed concrete soffit for improved thermal and acoustic conditions. The ventilation system marries heat recovery with the flexibility of operable windows, ensuring fresh air circulation and optimal temperature control. The office spaces are thoughtfully structured with bespoke joinery elements, integrating multifunctional furniture and desks, privacy screens, storage facilities and benching in breakout spaces. The end of desk storage units, finished in elegant maple, incorporates high-level screens for acoustic privacy. Additionally, sit/stand desks have been incorporated, offering staff the flexibility to tailor their workspace to their personal needs. The response from the Passport Team has been overwhelmingly positive, affirming the success of our design approach. We continue to monitor the settling-in period, ensuring that the workspace not only meets but exceeds staff expectations. Left/ Overleaf: Open plan workspaces include storage screens to the workstations, lending privacy to teams , ,
Below: Coloured breakout spaces with rotating birch fins, allowing for control of sunlight and shade
Elizabeth O’Farrell House, Dublin Our transformation of Elizabeth O’Farrell House on North Cumberland Street exemplifies our commitment to carefully breathing new life and value into existing buildings. Originally constructed in the 1940s, this partially disused public services building has been incrementally refurbished in stages to house the Medical Review and Assessment Service (MRAS), the Homeless Persons Unit (HPU) and offices for the Department of Employment and Social Protection. The building, encompassing 2,200m2 over two storeys and a basement, is an early exemplar of structural concrete in Ireland. However, its age meant facing challenges from a deteriorating building envelope, with poor thermal performance. The interior, largely vacant except for a benefits office in the basement, was previously inaccessible to those with mobility impairments. This comprehensive refurbishment, undertaken for the Office of Public Works, was executed in phased stages to ensure minimal disruption. Our coordinated plan focused on enhancing environmental performance, accessibility, and fire safety, balancing respect for the past with the demands of the present. Key interventions included: - The insertion of a new precast stair and lift core, vastly improving accessibility for all visitors, particularly those with mobility challenges. - The installation of internal hardwood sash internal glazed screens, boosting thermal comfort while allowing uninterrupted use of active spaces during construction. - The enhancement of the building’s façade with commissioned design of the signage and ‘peace doves’ artworks, marking the completion of the building’s transformation. Left: Hardwood sash windows installed behind the original, retained sliding aluminium windows Below: Office interior - salvaged parquet flooring was reused in the works, matching new timber glazed screens
Top: Birch Plywood with acoustic perforations form private interview booths for assessments Above: Planting established in the ‘climate buffer’ space between original and new internal glazing Left: New precast stairs, terrazzo finish and brass handrails Previous: North Cumberland Street Elevation, with ‘peace doves’ installed across restored facade panels
Photography: Alice Clancy
Eversheds Legal Offices and Conference Suite, Dublin In 2011, PAC Studio undertook the refurbishment and fit-out of Eversheds’ 1980s office building located in the heart of Dublin. Through our understanding the dynamic needs of an international legal practice, we developed bespoke workplace solutions across all five floors of the building. Our design focused on aligning the office spaces with the working practices and structures essential for the legal teams. The first phase of this project brought significant enhancements to the building, by providing a state-of-the-art legal reception space, welcoming clients and staff with a modern, professional ambiance. A flexible conference suite was designed to accommodate various meeting formats, from large gatherings to smaller, more intimate discussions. This included a large conference space, and a series of associated meeting rooms, each tailored to provide the ideal environment for legal consultations or team collaborations. The entrance area also features our bespoke folding wall, formed in walnut panels arranged as a ‘map’ of global time zones, with each of the international offices highlighted with a metal pin. This provides a talking point for visitors on arrival, and the folding action allows for the space to be used in a variety of arrangements, from Town Hall to separate conference rooms. One of the most challenging aspects of this project was carrying out construction in tandem with the ongoing daily activities of a bustling legal office. Our meticulous planning and coordination ensured that the workflow of Eversheds’ staff was not disrupted. The entire contract was executed in just six weeks, a testament to our commitment to minimising the impact on Eversheds’ business operations without compromising the quality and finish of the refurbishment. Left: Walnut panelling arranged as a textured surface locating global time zones and international offices Below: New reception space with acoustic ceiling in ash, walnut ‘folding wall’, and polished plaster walls
Photography: Alice Clancy
Door opens
Wall folds
Town Hall setting
Legal Offices, Dublin PAC Studio were appointed by the Office of Public Works to develop an existing ‘shell and core’ building in North Dublin as a bespoke legal office for the Garda. This is what our client had to say:
The OPW Regional Office in Dublin North commissioned PAC Architects to carry out the role of project architects, from inception to completion, for a recent fit-out for civil service legal teams. Two teams, with very differing requirements in terms of workspace, privacy and so on were coming together to occupy this space, and there was an initial apprehension about working together, and a reluctance to operate in an open plan environment. PAC successfully managed a complex series of stakeholder engagements and consultations, including walk-throughs and 3d models, for meetings with all staff members. Special attention was paid to acoustic requirements of the different teams and work areas. The end-user has expressed their satisfaction and happiness with the final product, and the teams are working well together. They see it as an exemplar in open-plan working arrangements, and are using it to try and gain support for relocating more staff from cellular office arrangements, in order to maximise their property portfolio. PAC worked closely with the services engineers to sensitively integrate services within the furniture and ceiling design, and prepared a 3d model of all services installations to ensure a clash-free building phase. The site phase of the project ran very successfully, thanks to PAC’s organisation and a detailed set of tender and construction documents, and the final project was brought in on time and budget. We were very pleased with the service provided by PAC on this project, and like the end–user, we are citing this project as an exemplar of not only office fit out and open plan working spaces, but as a model of successful client consultation and management of expectations in delivery. Left: Joinery elements are deployed throughout the open plan offices to structure the team arrangements Below: New meeting room with ash screen to open plan offices beyond
Clúid Housing, Cork Office In 2022, we completed an ambitious conservation project with Clúid Housing, to transform their premises on White Street, Cork, into an energy efficiency, contemporary workspace. This project exemplifies our commitment to sustainable design principles and the ability to creatively reimagine historic structures. The existing building was a three storey protected structure with a cramped office space in the attic. Our design introduced a new, lightweight timber roof structure to create additional workspace with much improved insulation. A new south east terrace offers sweeping views across the city, covered by a timber canopy to shade the office interior from the heat of the sun during summer months. Understanding the evolving nature of Clúid’s working regimes, we designed a variety of workspaces to cater to Clúid’s diverse team needs. These included private ‘pods’ for focused work, meeting booths for collaborative discussions, conference rooms for regional meetings, and open plan workstations. These spaces were distributed across the floors to support emerging working practices while ensuring future flexibility and adaptability. The conservation elements of this project were handled with utmost care. The partial replacement of existing floors was necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the existing structure. Lining of floors and internal walls restored the essential fire compartmentation, ensuring safe evacuation routes, whilst insulation of external walls allowed for improved staff comfort and reduce energy costs. The existing traditional timber sliding sash windows were also removed, refurbished and replaced to improve their functionality and enhance draught-proofing. Left:
New larch canopy structure extends out over the roof terrace on White Street
Below: Former attic space transformed into an open plan office with ‘pods’ to left and open air terrace.
Above: First floor canteen for staff, with full length bench at windows and glazed timber screens to stairwell. Left:
Larch canopy structure over the roof terrace, with sliding screens to office interior
Clúid Housing - Headquarter, Dublin Docklands In the heart of Dublin Docklands, PAC Studio transformed a six-floor, fully glazed building into Clúid Housing Association’s new head office. This innovative project, accommodating 100 staff, organises the department and team structures with a focus on well-being and comfort. Our design re-imagined what a great workplace can be. Recognized for their emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility, Clúid Housing’s working environment reflects their commitment to staff well-being through the design solutions developed with the Clúid team. The design prioritises optimal daylighting and views to connect staff with the external environment; workstations are carefully arranged relative to vertical fabric screens, provided for sun shading through the day, and acoustic control. Natural materials and colour tones throughout the building are used to orientate both staff and visitors, guiding circulation and setting the mood for different spaces. Working with Red Dog, we developed the corporate branding and signage, further enhancing way-finding and the interior design. The office features custom-designed furniture, joinery, and fittings by PAC Studio, again tailored for ergonomics, comfort and functionality. The first floor canteen space has echoes of this dockland site, formerly a timber yard - the interior is lined with natural wood and cork finishes, whilst historical archive prints were sourced to lend a sense of the site’s history.
Left: Walnut joinery at entrance and reception space includes seating integrated with screens around lobby Below: Timber Yard Café, individual booths and communal dining table
Malahide Market, Donnybrook Fair z
A new food market, cafe and retail outlet was inserted to this dense urban site in Malahide, making new public space to the edges of a Park. The sheltered entrance from the Green is constructed in a laminated timber structure with frameless glass, covering the cafe spaces and entrance to the market. The Market was awarded Best Commercial Project in 2017 by the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland. This is what our client had to say: Donnybrook Fair had previously engaged PAC Studio Architects for a variety of refurbishment projects, but this was our first project together on a completely new premises. We had secured the L-shaped site on the basis that it had prime street frontage to the Main Street. PAC Studio quickly introduced the idea of making the most of the second frontage to the Marina and the Green. The extension of the interior retail space to the Green through the layout of an external market and café sheltered by the timber and glass canopy has been fundamental to attracting customers inside, emphasised by the continuation of brick and the timber into the interior spaces. Changes in ceiling height and views to both Main Street and the Green reinforce the open, airy feel for customers. PAC Studio also worked closely with our retail designers to reinforce this flow of space between the two facades through the design of signage, displays and sales counters. We were particularly pleased with the rapid delivery of the project. The briefing process began in early 2015 and the project was complete in time for the Christmas Market, 2015.
Below: Market Hall Interior, with timber roof structure over former courtyard Left/ Overleaf: Timber structure and glass canopy forms a sheltered entrance terrace from The Green
John F. Kennedy National Arboretum, County Wexford The John F Kennedy National Arboretum in New Ross is set within a wooded landscape with over 5,000 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world, planted in botanical sequence and including the preservation and conservation of rare and endangered species. The facilities were originally constructed in cedar timber, steel framing and stone walls in dedication to John F Kennedy’s Irish family heritage in 1968, and our ongoing projects with the Office of Public Works began with replacement and renovations to the roofing and facades, most recently with replacement cedar framed window screens to the office wing in 2022. The next phases in 2024 will involve the upgrading of entrance areas, further glazing screens, and new guide stations. In 2023, the old tea rooms were refurbished, adding an external marquee structure for al-fresco dining, and proposals for a new pavilion have also been developed as part of a longer term vision for this beautiful landscape and place of important botanical research. Left: Overview of the complex of buildings, with new roofing throughout, 2021 Below: Detail of replacement glazed screens and cladding in cedar wood.
Initial studies for new cafe pavilion, 2022
The Earl, Sonder Hotels, Dublin This hotel refurbishment for Sonder involved an end of terrace property within the Georgian Core of Dublin. Sonder is a boutique apartment-hotel hospitality company that manages shortterm rentals across 40 cities internationally. In our role of project manager/ architect/ interior designer, PAC Studio coordinated the refurbishment of the existing interior across all 4 floors to allow for a 26 bedrooms and a reception room at the ground floor entrance. Each bedroom offers a unique layout, lending a distinct character and a range of room types for guests. Our interior design proposed a series of ‘suspended’ cabinetry elements to integrate a range of storage requirements, bed-heads and side tables/ work desks within each bedroom; these were coordinated with the internal colour schemes, fabrics and upholstery to enhance the original Georgian interiors, especially the quality of daylight. Bathrooms and en-suite shower rooms were renovated throughout. Mechanical and electrical services and fire safety and protection measures were all upgraded to suit the levels demanding for a contemporary hotel, including new fire doors and necessary maintenance and repair works to the external envelope.
Left: Typical bedroom, top, and entrance reception room at ground floor, bottom Below: Leeson Street, Dublin City, with the Pepper Cannister Church in the background
Bedroom 01 - 3D Perspective Diagram
3 -
2 -
Bedroom 01 - 3D Perspective
Top: Details of interior, and development sketches for furniture and cabinetry, below Left: Typical bedroom, and Georgian entrance door from Leeson Street, below Bedroom 01 - 3D Perspectivetop, - Proposed @ A3
ARCHITECTURE + ENVIRONMENTS
LIVING ENVIRONMENTS PAC Studio have built up an extensive and varied portfolio of residential projects, including refurbishments, extensions and new houses for private individuals and families through to a range of apartment projects in both the public and private sector. We are actively engaged in Housing Frameworks at both National and Local Government levels, working on the development of social and affordable housing solutions for both urban and rural locations across the country. For these larger scale housing projects, local housing needs are considered in the context of issues common to all housing design - mobility and transport, thresholds of private/ public space, integration of landscape and gardens, mix of uses/ users, community integration, adaptability, flexibility, and construction systems/ materials. Underpinning the design of our living environments is a concern for attention to detail - the precise alignment of rooms to receive optimal sunlight, the balance of insulation requirements with window design and orientation, and the selection and assembly of durable, natural materials. Such considerations enhance the lived experience of the home, in terms of both environmental comfort and delight. In the context of rising energy costs, this approach also helps to address issues of ‘fuel poverty’. PAC Studio places a significant emphasis on the relationships between interior and exterior spaces. Our designs look to incorporate ‘buffering’ elements like thresholds and winter-gardens, providing layers of protection in the context of Ireland’s unpredictable climate. Landscaping, gardens, and courtyards are integral to our residential design approach, extending the spatial experience from the home’s interior to the surrounding natural environment. We have a particular interest in the possibilities for timber as a construction material, appreciated as a durable, renewable and low-energy material resource. Where the opportunities arise in domestic projects, we seeks to develop furniture, joinery, linings, and structural framing crafted from carefully selected natural materials - infusing our spaces with a sense of tactility and warmth. Opposite: Elderly housing community, Drogheda, 2023 Below: Pebble Beach, private residence. Clontarf, Dublin, 2016
An Cairéal, Elderly Housing Community, Drogheda An Cairéal, or Quarry, offered us the unique opportunity to reimagine the site of a former industrial plant, originally a 19th Century stone quarry. The unique topography and steep embankments to the periphery allowed us to establish 3 residential buildings of 5 storeys each, placed perpendicular to the main road into the town centre. This allows for sun filled and south facing courtyards between the buildings, whilst further set-backs and stepping sections provides covered walking routes through the scheme for residents taking shelter from wind and rain. A total of 66 ‘age-friendly’ apartments are distributed through the development, predominantly including 2 bedrooms to allow space for occasional visits by health support staff or family/ friends. The apartment buildings include precast external galleries for access from the stairs/ lift, and to allow for dual aspect and cross ventilation in all dwellings; gable apartments enjoy even greater daylight. A Community Centre at the ground floor provides a social focus for the residents, with laundry, kitchen, terrace and shared social lounge for community events and parties. We carefully designed the soft and hard landscaping to provide a range of amenities for residents, with gardening areas, seating and walking routes around a series of dense planted borders, banks, trees and planters - all specifically designed to attract pollinators and promote biodiversity on this unique site. The project was delivered in collaboration with Clúid Housing/ Clann on behalf of Louth County Council in 2023. Opposite: View from the sheltered concourse to the first apartment building, with landscaping beyond. Below:
Section across the site with gently sloped and banked landscaping throughout
Bottom: Open air, covered entrance with community centre to left Above: Leeson Street, Dublin City, with the Pepper Cannister Church in the background Left: Typical bedroom, top, and entrance reception room at ground floor, bottom
Above: View along the entrance concourse through the 3 building ‘overhangs’ and entrances Left: View across the main courtyard to the covered entrance areas to the apartments Overleaf: Main courtyard space with galleries on left, and wide private balconies on right
Dunrovin Residential Development, North County Dublin This private residential project comprised of a terrace of 9 houses to the rear of a block of 26 apartments, ultimately delivered for a Housing Agency at the edge of Donabate town centre. The apartments have been designed with a series of deep inset balconies, staggered and offset to maximise light, views and private open space for each living space. These private spaces provide for a sheltered external space, to allow for greater use across the seasons by residents. The external brickwork uses different tones to add detail to the facades, and in specific areas the bricks are laid with a twist to catch the light as the sun moves around the development. The apartments are arranged over three storeys, as is the terraced housing, where a fourth bedroom is provided within the dormer and roof spaces. The project was developed over two phases and completed in 2022.
Opposite: Elevations of apartments and study model Right: Typical apartment interior and terrace Below: Inset balcony with terraced housing to the right Overleaf: Detail of brick facades
Photography: Nuno Rolo Morais
Photography: Nuno Rolo Morais
Terraced Housing, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Our infill terrace of 4 family houses replaced 2 existing single storey cottages on this quiet avenue behind the River Dodder. This involved a long, narrow plan for each house, 4 metres wide and 22 deep internally, including two bedrooms at the upper storey, and a long, deep living space to the rear. A narrow central courtyard is provided within each property, bringing daylight, sunlight and fresh air into the middle of the ground floor around the dining and kitchen space. Above the single storey living spaces to the rear gardens a series of tilted roofs overhead allow for high level westerly light to enter above the living areas, reflected down from the sloped ceiling. The houses were prefabricated off-site to allow for rapid construction times on site, using precast structural floor slabs and wall panels finished with brick. The front elevation includes a series of planters and timber trellises, to also provide shade over the south facing bedroom windows at the first floor. Opposite: South elevation, facing Ballbridge Avenue Below: Terrace elevation/ section and view to living space with courtyard on left
An Bhinn Mhór Residential Development, Drogheda, County Louth This residential project involved the refurbishment of a town house dating back to the 1870’s. The design of an extension to the rear garden space enabled us to breathe new life into the derelict building, providing for 5 generous apartments on behalf of the Local Authority. The front elevation to the main road faces east, whilst the new extension to the rear faces west with garden courts and set back terraces at the upper storey. All apartments have been designed to enjoy both aspects, in terms of light, noise and privacy, with cross ventilation from front to back, old building to new. The contrast between new and old is expressed in the darker painted treatment of the original pebbledashed render when compared to the new white brick facade to the rear, allowing for reflected light to the terraces and garden areas. Traditional sash windows have been installed to the front facade and to the rear, a series of french doors, sliding patios screens and generous windows have been deployed to maximise daylight and connect interior living spaces with the terraces and gardens to the rear. A second phase of the project is planned for 2024, with a further 6 apartments planned to the rear of the deep garden space. This second phase will allow the rear shared garden to be completed as a shared courtyard space to complete this new residential community in Drogheda Town.
Opposite: View of the refurbished building, above left Rear extension with private terraces, below Below: Typical refurbishment of the original building
Photography: Enda Cavanagh
Due South, Howth, County Dublin This family home perches on the southern slopes of a sloping coastal landscape, extending south down towards Dublin Bay. The design of the section maintains views over the roof of the house from the public road to the rear of the site, but ensures optimal orientation and views from within the interior spaces, looking south across the city and coast. The upper floor of living spaces flow around external courtyard and terrace spaces with panoramic views through mature stands of Scots Pine. The lower floor bedrooms are set back from and shaded by the overhanging living spaces overhead, giving protection and shelter to the private terraces to this floor. To the rear, vertical light wells are introduced to allow fresh air and daylight down to the lower levels. Gentle limestone steps and terraces connect the living spaces with the terraced landscaping on the south facing slopes, whilst the house is fully wrapped in white limestone and expansive glazed screens. Opposite: Southerly views out to the garden and Dublin Bay beyond are maintained throughout the house Below, and overleaf: Living spaces overhang the bedroom terraces and garden below
Photograph: Enda Cavanagh
Country House, North County Dublin This project allowed a local family to make a new home close to their extended family network in this rural location. We referred to the traditional arrangements of farm buildings and external yard spaces in the design of the house, where walls extend out in the landscape to form sheltered and semi-enclosed exterior spaces. For this house, concrete walls are used to make courtyards and southern aspect terraces with particular micro-climates, all within the wider landscape and the exposure to the prevailing winds from the west. A working studio is provided to the rear, open plan living spaces are arranged along the south terrace at the ground floor, with bedrooms to the upper storey. The simple forms and durable materials also help to connect the house with the rural setting. Carefully detailed corrugated cladding to the upper storey achieves a simple, recognisable form and silhouette, whilst the ground floor walls screen the terrace and glass screens lending privacy from the adjacent road. Light and Views The interior spaces have south-aspect windows, but specific views across the landscape are highlighted through isolated picture windows - a long window above the kitchen worktop gives a panoramic view across the fields, and a square window to the main bedroom frames views to the rising landscape beyond.
Opposite: New farmhouse and studio within the agricultural landscape setting Below left and right: Living spaces and south terrace
Above: Sessiagh, County Donegal, Ireland, 2012: A glazed pavilion facing south views to lough and mountains
pacstudio ARCHITECTURE+ENVIRONMENTS
OUR OUTo
Directors - Graham Petrie MRIAI, ARB, RIBA & Peter Crowley MRIAI Tower 1, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin D08 PX95 T:+353 (1) 453 0406 M: info@pacstudio.ie W: www.pacstudio.ie
OUR SERVICES -
- Feasibility Studies
- Scheme Design
- Project Management
- Project Appraisals
- Planning Applications
- Contract Management
- Strategic Briefing
- Expert Witness
- Health & Safety (PSDP)
- Sustainable Design
- Interior Design
- Assigned Certifier
- Environmental Analysis
- Space Planning
- Design Certifier
- Master Planning
- Branding/ Identity Design
- Post Occupancy Studies
- Urban Design
- Project Documentation
- Conservation Grade 3
- Landscape Design
- BIM (Level 2) Documentation
- Modelling Workshop
If you would like to know more about our work or have a specific project in mind, we are always excited to begin new opportunities and collaborations. Please feel free to get in touch with one of our directors: call Graham Petrie or Peter Crowley on 01-453 0406, or mail us both directly via info@pacstudio.ie