EXTENSIONS RENOVATIONS NEW HOMES INTERIORS GARDENS
Selfbuild SELFBUILD.IE
AUTUMN 2019 £3.50 / €3.75
Dream it . Do it . Live it
y(7HC5B5*PNQTKT( +z!_
ISSN 2515-5369
DISPLAY UNTIL 31 OCT
CO-LIVING IN DERRY TRAD FARMHOUSE IN MEATH ANTRIM SEMI-D REFURB DUBLIN REJUVENATION BUILT ON INSTAGRAM
ALL IRELAND BEST SELLING MAGAZINE FOR SELF-BUILDERS AND HOME IMPROVERS
Advert
Advert
EDITOR'S LETTER / WELCOME
Welcome... There’s no doubt that nowadays our homes need to pull their weight a lot more than they used to. They need to play their part in combating climate change (p.10) and at a practical level work for all age groups, from the boomerang kids to elderly parents. On p.68 you’ll get an overview of what it takes to add a ‘granny flat’ – a somewhat archaic term that seems to have stuck for its emotive overtones. Intergenerational living is what it’s all about. We have plenty of examples too: from a son who renovated his parents’ farmhouse to build next door to them in the countryside (p.20), to an urban downsizing project that caters to grown children visiting (p.44). With a few more adaptation projects starting p.69. Lastly, a word of caution: whether you’re building new or undergoing a major renovation, remember that a contract is just as necessary as insurance – find out more on p.90.
HEAT PUMP VS BOILER The showdown
SITE HUNTING BUILDING WITH OAK
Asking the right questions
It’s easier than you think
With Selfbuild. Dream it. Do it. Live it. BUDGET SERIES
How much will your upper floor cost?
Astrid Madsen - Editor astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie
Follow the Selfbuild community:
selfbuild.ie AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 0 5
C O N T E N T S / W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
Selfbuild Dream it . Do it . Live it
98 20
68 56 32 SELFBUILD: THE ALL-IRELAND
All articles equally cover the 32 counties; when we refer to the Republic of Ireland the abbreviation is ROI. For Northern Ireland it’s NI.
0 6 / S E L F B U I L D / AU T U M N 2 0 1 9
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E / C O N T E N T S
PROJECTS
ADVICE
Learn from the Irish self-builders who have been through the process of building and home improving
68 THE RISE OF THE GRANNY FLAT
The quick guide to adding living space to your existing house for an older or younger generation.
20 CO-LIVING
Alan Campbell of Co Derry first renovated his in-laws’ farmhouse, and then built his own family home right beside it.
72 HOW MUCH WILL YOUR FLOORS COST?
The third instalment in our budget series, we look at the upper storey.
32 LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP How Denis McNamara managed to build himself his dream home in Co Meath while living in London.
116 NEW VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TECHNOLOGY
44 GARDEN PARTY
Pauline Millar relished the challenge of downsizing to a semi-detached house in Belfast, bringing with her 17 years of expertise working as an estate agent.
56 REJUVENATION
Claire Watts’ renovation and extension project involved replacing all the walls except the façade.
44 BASICS Basic information about building or improving your home in any of the 32 counties
70 THE BIG MOVE
Steven Bell bought his parents’ house to live in, on the condition he’d build them an extension with independent access.
98 SUPPORT GROUP Two of our favourite self-build instagrammers, one in Co Tipperary the other in Co Down, share what it’s been like building their dream homes while holding down day jobs.
78 BUILDING WITH OAK
How to build your entire house, or parts of it, with this natural and timeless material.
84 THE SOFTER SIDES OF CHOOSING YOUR SITE
If your boiler needs to be replaced, the energy efficiency of your house will have a lot to do with your decision to replace it or upgrade to a heat pump.
118 SUSTAINABLE BOUNDARIES
Hedges are the most cost effective and eco-friendly way to mark out your boundaries; find out how to plant them.
122 THE B WORD A book review of Bungalow Bliss Bias and the larger phenomenon of rural one-off housing.
127 ASK THE EXPERT Your self-build questions answered.
130 SCRAPBOOK
Inspiration to embrace plant life indoors.
All the questions you need to ask yourself before buying the perfect site to build on.
86 STOCK AND TRADE
The most straightforward way to source materials for your self-build is to buy them from your local builder’s merchant; here’s how they operate.
90 IRON CLAD When hiring a main contractor, it is in your best interest to sign a contract. Find out how easy it is to do, and what they’re about.
94 SPARK YOUR IMAGINATION An overview of where to start with your lighting plan.
111 WOOD FLOORING
Where they come from, how they’re made, how much they cost and how to keep them looking new.
INSIDE TRACK A showcase of Irish products and services from our sponsors
19 INSIDER NEWS
Latest products and services for self-builders.
83 HOW TO MIX CEMENT
Irish Cement demystifies what it takes to mix cement with a new series of how-to videos.
89 RENOVATING WITH HEMP
Homes made of stone or brick tend to require breathable materials if they’re to undergo an energy upgrade; find out how HempBuild is servicing this market with its range of hemp-lime products. AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 0 7
CONTRIBUTORS / TEAM
Contributors
EXTENSIONS RENOVATIONS NEW HOMES INTERIORS GARDENS
Selfbuild SELFBUILD.IE
AUTUMN 2019 £3.50 / €3.75
Dream it . Do it . Live it
Peter Bonsall
Cathal Campbell
Tom Halpin
Steven is an architectural designer and partner in the practice Slemish Design Studio LLP based in Co Antrim. slemishdesignstudio.co.uk / tel. 2586 2461
Peter is an engineer working in the timber and renewable energy sectors.
Cathal is managing director at Co Tyrone based Glenfort Timber Engineering Ltd. glenfort.com / tel. 8775 0021
Tom is communications manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. seai.ie
ISSN 2515-5369
Steven Bell
y(7HC5B5*PNQTKT( +z!_
DISPLAY UNTIL 31 OCT
CO-LIVING IN DERRY TRAD FARMHOUSE IN MEATH ANTRIM SEMI-D REFURB DUBLIN REJUVENATION BUILT ON INSTAGRAM
ALL IRELAND BEST SELLING MAGAZINE FOR SELF-BUILDERS AND HOME IMPROVERS
Cover Photo Paul Lindsay Editor Astrid Madsen astrid.madsen@selfbuild.ie Design Myles McCann myles.mccann@selfbuild.ie Shannon Quinn shannon.quinn@selfbuild.ie Marketing Calum Lennon calum.lennon@selfbuild.ie
Keith Kelliher
Ronan Mc Dermott
Marion McGarry
Leslie O’Donnell
Keith is a quantity surveyor with over 20 years’ experience and is the founder of Kelliher & Associates Quantity Surveyors. quantitysurveyor.ie
Ronan is the director of Co Meath based HempBuild Sustainable Products Ltd. hempbuild.ie / tel. 046 92 41524
Dr Marion McGarry is an author, historian, part-time Galway Mayo Insititute of Technology lecturer and freelance illustrator. She is the author of The Irish Cottage published by Orpen Press. @marion_mcgarry
Les is an engineer and architectural designer who runs Landmark Designs, a CIAT registered practice in Co Tyrone. landmarkdesigns.org.uk / NI tel. 8224 1831
Subscriptions Becca Wilgar becca.wilgar@selfbuild.ie Business Development Manager Niamh Boyle niamh.boyle@selfbuild.ie Advertising Sales David Corry david.corry@selfbuild.ie Nicola Delacour-Dunne nicola.delacour@selfbuild.ie Lisa Killen lisa.killen@selfbuild.ie Maria Varela maria.varela@selfbuild.ie
Fiann Ó Nualláin
Debbie Orme
Marcus Patton
Andrew Stanway
Award winning garden designer, author and broadcaster, Fiann has a background in fine art, ethnobotany and complementary medicine. theholisticgardener.com / @HolisticG
Debbie is a freelance writer and editor, who writes about business, healthcare, property, maternity and the over 50s. She also ghost writes autobiographies. debbie.orme@talk21.com / NI mobile 077 393 56915
Marcus is torn between being an illustrator, an architect, an historian and a musician.
Andrew is a project manager with over 30 years’ experience. He is also a writer and the author of Managing Your Build published by Stobart Davies.
Shauna Stewart
Patrick Waterfield
Shauna Stewart is the owner of Velvet Interiors, a busy design consultancy and agency based in Derry. shauna@velvetinteriors.co.uk / mobile 07737244789
Patrick is an engineer and energy consultant based in Belfast. tel. 906 41241 / patrick.waterfield@ntlworld.com
Come meet more experts at our Selfbuild Live event in DUBLIN in September - turn to page 128 for more details and FREE tickets NI calling ROI prefix with 00353 and drop the first 0 ROI calling NI prefix with 048
Published by SelfBuild Ireland Ltd. 119 Cahard Rd, Saintfield, Co Down BT24 7LA. Tel: (NI 028 / ROI 048) 9751 0570 / Fax: (NI 028 / ROI 048) 9751 0576 info@selfbuild.ie / selfbuild.ie 0 8 / S E L F B U I L D / AU T U M N 2 0 1 9
Accounts Karen Kelly karen.kelly@selfbuild.ie Sales Director Mark Duffin mark.duffin@selfbuild.ie Managing Director Brian Corry brian.corry@selfbuild.ie Chairman Clive Corry clive.corry@selfbuild.ie Distribution EM News Distribution Ltd
The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions nor for the accuracy of information reproduced. Where opinions may be given, these are personal and based upon the best information to hand. At all times readers are advised to seek the appropriate professional advice. Copyright: all rights reserved.
H I G H L I G H T S / W H AT ' S N E W
Self-build pulse In ROI from January to April 2019 there have been 1,718 commencement notices lodged for single residential units, a 10 per cent increase on 2018. The number of houses built, as measured by new electricity connections, were up as well (13 per cent) in the first quarter with 1,098 single new dwelling completions. One-off houses granted planning permission in the first quarter remained steady at 1,456, accounting for one fifth of the total number of houses granted permission. Extensions, alterations and conversions witnessed more than a 20 per cent jump in planning permission from the first quarter of 2018 (2,538) to the same period in 2019 (3,077). For the first quarter of 2019, new dwelling completions in NI, for both self-builds and speculative development, rose to 1,749 representing a 20 per cent increase on 2018. New dwelling starts for the same category were at 1,582 which is a 10 per cent drop from the same period the previous year. For the 2018/2019 fiscal year planning permission applications that were approved were broadly the same as in 2017/2018 and as follows: new single dwellings at 1,857, replacement single dwellings 725 and alterations and extensions 3,217. Still in NI, know that planning application fees are increasing by 2 per cent to account for inflation.
Eco funded
The CobBauge project, featured in the Winter 2018 edition of Selfbuild magazine and which consists of a certified, building regulations compliant, method of building with cob (earth and natural fibres), recently secured funding for four years to build more pilot homes and explore commercial applications. Find out more on cobbauge.eu
Sustainable boundaries on page 118
UK moves closer to clamping down on rogue builders According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), if there is enough industry support, a mandatory licensing scheme for builders could be brought forward as a Bill before becoming an Act of Parliament in three to five years. In June 2019 a task force was set up to flesh out key elements for how a licensing scheme for builders in the UK, including NI, might work including funding, standards and enforcement. The task force is chaired by Liz Peace, former CEO of the British Property Federation, and brings together the Association of Consultancy and Engineering, the British Property Federation, the Chartered Institute of Building, the Construction Products Association, the Electrical Contractors Association, the FMB, the Glass and Glazing Federation / FENSA, Local Authority Building Control, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, TrustMark and Which? Trusted Traders. An FMB survey shows that an overwhelming majority (nearly 90 per cent) of homeowners believe that the Government should criminalise
rogue and incompetent builders while 78 per cent of consumers also want to see a licensing scheme for construction introduced. Furthermore 55 per cent of those carrying out home improvement work have had a negative experience with their builder. Meanwhile, more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of small and medium-sized construction firms support the introduction of licensing to professionalise the industry, protect consumers and side-line unprofessional and incompetent building firms. In ROI there is no licensing scheme either. However the Construction Industry Register of Ireland (CIRI) administered by the Construction Industry Federation, the lobbying group for large construction firms, is expected to be placed on a statutory footing with Dรกil deliberations to resume this autumn.
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 0 9
W H AT ’ S N E W / N E W S
High ambitions The ROI Government has published its Climate Action Plan to Tackle Climate Breakdown, which includes a scheme to sell electricity back to the grid by 2021 The Climate Action Plan is modelled on Minister for Energy Richard Bruton’s Action Plan for Jobs he curated while Minister at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. In total the plan includes over 180 action points with the aim to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2030 and to become carbon neutral by 2050. Highlights include: � Introduce a feed-in tariff to help achieve the overall target of 70 per cent renewables for the electricity sector by 2030. To be rolled out nationally by 2021, the scheme will allow you to get paid for the electricity generated through on-site electricity generating systems such as photovoltaic (PV) panels for which there is currently a grant available. � A much awaited revival of the smart metering project to support feed-in tariffs (so that the electricity exported and imported can be measured in real time). � Oil boilers will be banned from new builds by 2022, gas by 2025. However existing buildings,
it seems, will continue to be able to install gas or oil boilers. � Deliver a new Retrofit Plan to carry out energy upgrades on 500,000 homes, with large groups of houses being retrofitted by the same contractor to reduce costs, smart finance, and easy pay back methods. Along with a new mechanism to repay borrowings for home energy upgrades, e.g. insulation, which may work through increased energy bills. � Bring 950,000 electric vehicles onto our roads, deliver a nationwide charging network and legislation to ban the sale
LOANS
Funding for your self-build Financing models are fast emerging in ROI, especially for major renovation projects New credit union loans Hundreds of thousands of credit union members throughout ROI now have access to a new home improvement funding scheme administered by Retrofit Energy Ireland Limited, an energy services provider. It’s called the ‘Pro Energy Homes Scheme’ and is available in twenty participating credit 1 0 / S E L F B U I L D / AU T U M N 2 0 1 9
unions across the country, mostly around the Dublin area with others in Wicklow, Limerick, Louth, Kildare and Galway. The scheme was piloted in five credit unions across Dublin from August to September last year to fund energy efficiency works in homes. Participants borrowed an average of €10,000 and spent an average of €15,000 on
of petrol / diesel cars from 2030. Possible car scrappage scheme to incentivise EV purchases to be introduced in 2020. � Deliver an intensive programme of retrofitting to install 400,000 heat pumps in homes and businesses, replacing existing carbon-intensive heating systems. � Possible carbon tax increases which would mostly hit those consuming heating oil, gas, peat or coal, and the price of diesel to increase to come in line with that of petrol. � A commitment to restore more than 22 hectares of raised bog insulation measures, windows upgrades and heating and hot water systems including solar thermal panels. An SEAI grant of 35 per cent is available for the work for homes built pre-2006. proenergyhomes.ie Green mortgages and loans According to the Irish Green Building Council (GIBC), we may yet see so-called green mortgages rolled out in Ireland; these would provide preferential rates to homeowners buying energy efficient homes or homes in which they will carry out energy upgrades. According to an IGBC spokesperson AIB “have just said that they may launch a green mortgage this
habitat by 2035. � A commitment to rolling out district heating. This is in addition to the latest update to the energy element of the building regulations (see p.15) which Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy signed into law last month to make sure that all buildings renovating 25 per cent or more of their property be required to bring the rest of their building up to a B2 energy rate on the BER scale. Meanwhile, the BBC reports that NI is the only devolved administration without its own climate change legislation and targets for emissions cuts, though it does contribute to a wider UK target. Chris Stark, chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change, an independent body that advises government on climate action, said his organisation was “constrained” in how it could advise politicians on measures because of this absence of legislation. The UK Chancellor, meanwhile, is looking at a “Future Home Standard” by 2025. year”. The IGBC is also now part of an EU funded project to back green mortgages in Ireland called Smarter Finance for Families which “helps families to reevaluate the way they view the cost of buying a home, switching from looking at the sale price alone to the ‘total monthly costs of ownership’ of the home which includes the benefits of energy efficient measures in the long-run”. According to the Irish Times AIB said it planned to loan €5billion over the next five years to finance home improvement projects targeting energy efficiency; the details are meant to be revealed “later this year”. igbc.ie
Advert ROOFTILES
THE ROOFERS CHOICE northstonematerials.com
Advert More Individuality.
Supply & Fit Service
Tel: 028 9077 0044
www.sykesbathrooms.com
Showroom 38 Duncrue Crescent Belfast BT3 9BW
Open Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday: 9am-12.30pm
N E W S / W H AT ' S N E W
Mica redress scheme approved – but not yet rolled out Despite a commitment from government in May to remedy homes affected by mica, no details of the scheme were available as Selfbuild went to print. Mica Action Group
2016
2018
In brief New guides If you plan to install a battery to store electricity from your solar panels in your home, know that there is a new guide available in the UK from the National House Building Council Foundation called Watts in store? Introduction to energy storage batteries for homes (NF83). Also know that in ROI the standard for electrical installations, ET101, is undergoing a revision which includes changes for charging electric vehicles. More information available on nsai.ie Meanwhile if you think your building project might affect protected species like bats, check out the new app from the Construction Industry Research and Information Association called Working With Wildlife; find out more on ciria.org
Cold callers
The scheme to repair homes affected by mica and pyrite in Donegal and Mayo has earmarked €20million for 2019 with the worst-hit homes to be fixed first. Homeowners will have to pay 10 per cent towards the total cost. Ann Owens, Chairperson of the Mica Action Group (MAG), said in a statement that they are “disappointed and frustrated” by the 10 per cent charge to homeowners. MAG has been campaigning for a redress scheme for the past five years. Responsibility for the roll out of the mica scheme has been delegated to Donegal County Council (DCC). “We would ask,
if there really is a more pressing issue that needs to be addressed by Donegal County Council at the moment than this when Councillors, during the election campaign reported this to be the number one concern on the doorsteps,” said Owens in statement. “We need to see every effort being made to prioritise the mica scheme without any further delay and we ask that DCC at the very least, confirm when the scheme will be rolled out and applications will be accepted.” The redress scheme comes on the back of a government report published two years ago that highlighted 5,000 homes were
subject to defective concrete blocks. The defective material found in County Donegal was primarily muscovite mica while in County Mayo it was primarily reactive pyrite. Meanwhile the Irish Times reported in May that the Government will not set up a redress scheme to assist the owners of Celtic Tiger-era apartments who face bills to repair building defects in their properties, citing the case of homeowners made to foot the bill to address fire safety and balcony defects found in a Dublin apartment complex.
A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly taking €20,000 to carry out work on a building and then failing to do so, reports the Irish Examiner. Gardaí said that only minimal work was completed at a house in Cloyne and the money was not returned to the owner. The development prompted gardaí to remind householders of the need to satisfy themselves about the credibility of anyone offering to carry out works or selling goods, particularly in the case of cold callers. Verifying their credentials is essential, i.e. check VAT registered number, complete address, contact number that’s preferably not a mobile, check with friends and neighbours. If satisfied as to the authenticity of the company or person ask for an itemised written quotation for the exact goods or services being offered, always seek comparable estimates for services, and never engage a person who insists on a cash payment as it is untraceable.
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 1 3
Advert
N E W S / W H AT ' S N E W
Home schooling Living in a house that you own, that’s comfortable and doesn’t cost a fortune to heat, is what self-builders are in the lucky position to achieve. But housing for many continues to be an everyday struggle. To help you sift through the terminology and get a handle of what’s going on in the residential sector is a new book by housing pundit Lorcan Sirr. Housing in Ireland: The A-Z Guide is presented as a glossary and is a very welcome addition to the ever expanding publications on the subject. In the book, Sirr deciphers the many acronyms that characterise the sector, along with some definitions for technical terms like airtightness, and delves into the meaning of “rural housing” and “one-off housing”. This compendium is not only a reference book for anyone interested in housing, it will also give any newcomer a good understanding of underlying social and political currents that shape policy. Building control is of course part and parcel of the book, explaining the nuances of how it works from “opt in” to “opt out”
to the BCMS online platform. This is where another book about housing entitled Home by Eoin Ó Broin, which predominantly looks at the need for social housing, highlights successive governments’ fatal and continued reliance on self-certification as a means of checking that buildings are being built according to the building regulations. Ó Broin says: “if we are to ensure that the construction industry is never again allowed to repeat the scandals of the 1990s and 2000s then we need a more robust
Bubble trouble? The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) latest economic outlook published in May warned of ROI’s continued vulnerability to foreign investors and “rapid changes in prices” in the property sector. “Although new housing completions have been catching up with demand, there will continue to be shortages in the dwelling stock for some time,” adds the report. It concludes: “Property prices may strongly surge again, which would further boost construction activity in the near term but may lay the foundation for another boom-and-bust cycle if associated with another surge in credit growth.” In another OECD survey published in March, in ROI people were most likely to identify better health care (61 per cent), better pensions (46 per cent), and more affordable housing (41 per cent) as the public supports they need most to feel more economically secure.
Building Control system, fully independent of industry and with strong consumer protections.” Sadly, such measures are very unlikely to be instigated. Housing in Ireland. The A-Z Guide by Lorcan Sirr. Orpen Press, orpenpress.com, ISBN 9781786050762, paperback, €20, 358 pages. Home Why Public Housing is the Answer by Eoin Ó Broin. Merrion Press, irishacademicpress.ie, ISBN 9781785372650, paperback, €14.95, 272 pages.
In brief ‘Red tape’ Large extensions in England & Wales are now permanently exempt of planning permission. Under the new permitted development (PD) right, homeowners can put a single-storey rear extension on their property extending up to 6m for terraced or semi-detached homes, or 8m for detached homes. This had been in place as a temporary measure since 2014 and was made permanent this May.
Tap into architecture The June 2019 edition of the Architectural Review throws a spotlight on Ireland, (timed for when the editors expected Brexit to be done and dusted), highlighting that a generation of “superqualified” Irish architects are producing “beautifully executed and strikingly thoughtful extensions, conservatories and one-off houses – often subsidised by a busy teaching schedule.”
Parts L and F available online The new technical guidance documents are available on housing.gov.ie; ROI regulations for energy and ventilation come into force in November.
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 1 5
W H AT ’ S N E W / AWA R D S
And the winner is…. These past couple of months saw no less than five architectural awards bestow their honours on Irish self-builds: the RIAI Awards, the RSUA Awards, the Federation of Master Builders Awards, the Isover Awards and the Irish Construction Awards.
1 6 / S E L F B U I L D / AU T U M N 2 0 1 9
Sunday’s Well Houses in Co Cork Architects: O’Donnell + Tuomey
Photography: Aisling McCoy
Photography: Alice Clancy Vavasour Square in Dublin Architects: GKMP Architects
Photography: Denis Gilbert and Jed Niezgoda
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Awards Living Category recognised both new builds and renovations on 7th June 2019. The two winners for one-off housing were: Sunday’s Well Houses in Co Cork (Architects: O’Donnell + Tuomey, Photography: Denis Gilbert and Jed Niezgoda) and Ash House in Co Dublin (Architects: Sketch Architects, Photography: Aisling McCoy). The two extensions/ refurbishments winners were Vavasour Square in Dublin (Architects: GKMP Architects, Photography: Alice Clancy) and Addition and Renovation to a Victorian Family House in Dublin which has won previous awards, including the 2019 Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI) Awards (Architects: Clancy Moore Architects). The Royal Society of Ulster Architects Awards announced in May that House Lessans designed by architects McGonigle McGrath was one of just four winners this year. The project consists of an existing barn, a new forecourt, a discrete bedroom block with
Ash House in Co Dublin Architects: Sketch Architects
private courtyard, and expansive living spaces which look out onto the green rolling landscape. The project got a special mention at the AAI awards this year as well. The Federation of Master Builders Awards for NI crowned projects of all sizes and types, from bathroom and kitchen projects to low carbon and heritage projects. Pictured here is the new build in Newtownards designed by architect Ian Crockard and built by John Dynes & Son. Meanwhile the 2019 Overall Isover Award winner was Simply Architecture for self-build project
AWA R D S / W H AT ' S N E W
Photography: Frank O’Sullivan
Wedge House Co Cork Architects: Simply Architecture
Wedge House in Co Cork on the 6th June 2019. The house is 1,900 sqft and obtained an A2 Building Energy Rating; it’s a certified Passive House and took 13 months to build on a tight budget. Simply Architecture also won Designer of the Year 2019, and incidentally the RIAI Future Award which celebrates emerging Irish architectural practices. Last but not least an A-rated energy positive house in Carrickmines, Dublin bagged the small residential award at the Irish Construction Awards on June 13th 2019. It features three mono pitch roofs, with a modern mixture of Scandinavian spruce cladding and crisp white render.
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 1 7
Photography: Roger Ford from houseflyni.co.uk
Newtownards, Co Down Designed by architect Ian Crockard and built by John Dynes & Son
Advert
I N S I D E R N E W S / W H AT ' S N E W
Soaking hot!
With over 10 years’ carpentry experience under its belt, a new company Bespoke Glass Walls & Doors recently set up in the west of Ireland to fill a gap on the Irish market with their high end aluminum crittall style internal walls and doors. Every screen is tailor-made to fit any space, from single or double, sliding or hinged.
Steph McGovern, Presenter, BBC Breakfast with Wayne Lyons, Director, Soaks Bathrooms, Belfast and Alan Dodds, Managing Director, Roca / Laufen UK, sponsors of the KBB UK & Ireland Bathroom Retailer of the Year Award 2019 category
Not one to rest on its laurels with its 7,000 sqft bathroom showroom and virtual reality offering, Soaks Bathrooms have gone on to win yet another award – this time the prestigious KBB UK & Ireland Bathroom Retailer of the Year Award 2019. The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are the leading awards in the sector with 2019 seeing them mark 25 years of the event. This April the ceremony celebrated the very best retailers, designers and manufacturers in the kitchen and bathroom industries throughout the UK and Ireland. The submitted entries for retailers were shortlisted by an expert judging panel and
Making an entrance
then, over the course of several weeks, each one was visited by judges who look into every aspect of the business and really understand how it ticks. The judges said that Soaks’ creative marketing sets it apart from the competition. They gave the example of its slogan to boost shower toilet sales: “We are behind with our behinds – in Japan over 70% of toilets are washlets. Available exclusively at Soaks Bathrooms”.
For a no-obligation quote contact the sales department at bgwdireland@gmail.com, mobile 087 750 6061 (NI prefix with 00353 and drop the first 0)
Visit the showroom at 5-7 Apollo Rd, Belfast, Monday-Saturday 9.30am5pm, extended hours Thursdays 9.30am-8pm, soaksbathrooms.com
Turn up the heat and efficiencies Taking the stress out of choosing a heating system for your new build is Grant Engineering’s free of charge design service Multiple Package Solutions. The technical specialists at Grant will correctly size the heating requirements of your property and combine different technologies to help maximise system efficiencies and long-term cost savings. Grant will design and quote your full heating system, including heat emitters, and can supply all the recommended products for your plumber to install. Email your planning drawings to heatpump@grantengineering.ie to get started.
For more information on Grant’s range of products visit grant.eu Grant Engineering, Crinkle, Birr, Co Offaly, R42 D788, tel. 057 9126 967 Grant NI, Unit 117, 21 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1IJ, freephone 0800 0443 264
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 1 9
P R O J E C T / C O L’ D E R R Y
NEW BUILD
Co-living For Alan Campbell renovating a century old farmhouse – and building their very own family home beside it – meant they could care for elderly parents. Words: Astrid Madsen Photography: Paul Lindsay
W
hen Karen’s uncle passed away, her mum gave us the farmhouse. The plan was to renovate and extend it for their own use and for Karen and I to build our family home from scratch,” explains Alan. “The houses are just 30 meters apart.” “But renovating the 100-year-old building wasn’t straightforward. When we started to take off the slates we realised there was no strong structure holding up the roof in place. The old oak beams were adding weight, so we replaced them with a new truss roof.” “We salvaged as much as we could but there was still quite a bit of demolition work. Less surprising was the fact that the house had no foundations so we dug down with a mini digger and put in a new subfloor.” “We basically built them a completely The new build; page opposite shows entrance with renovated farmhouse in view
new shell; the two to five foot stone walls weren’t insulated so we added an aluminium frame on the inside of the house and insulated with PUR board allowing for a ventilation gap. In total it took us eight months to renovate and extend.” “To tackle the renovation we spoke to other people who’d gone through a similar process; we’d never done it before. In many ways it turned out to be a guinea pig for building our own house.”
The new build
Karen and Alan’s new build, however, wasn’t as quick to turn around. “It took eight months to secure planning permission. It felt like a really long time because we were 2 0 / S E L F B U I L D / AU T U M N 2 0 1 9
C O L’ D E R R Y / P R O J E C T
AU T U M N 2 0 1 9 / S E L F B U I L D / 2 1