A2 architects: seaside house in louth, ireland

dublin-based practice A2 architects (caomhan murphy, peter carroll) has completed ‘seaside house’, a single family residence in louth, ireland. the project, which won first prize in the ‘best house’ category at the 2011 RIAI irish architecture awards, is modest in size and proportions, drawings from the scale of the neighboring travel trailers that dot the beach front.

elevation from beach
image © marie-louise halpenny (also main image)

elevated above the water plane, the small dwelling sits on a wooden terrace that stretches continuously to both ends of the plot. the notion of the living space is extended beyond the interior, accommodating activities outdoors towards the front and the back. the language of the terrace is continued to the structure itself with facades that are singularly wrapped in horizontally-running wooden panels. large sliding glass doors establish expansive views towards the beach to the east and grass field towards the west.

terrace
image © marie-louise halpenny

image © marie-louise halpenny

read as two slim volumes that are arrange slightly apart from one another, the interior layout features a spinal corridor that creates spatial definition between domestic zones. private programs such as the bedrooms and bathrooms are accommodated on the north side while the south half is kept open and linear in circulation. flanked with sliding glass doors, the communal area secures views of the surrounding site in both directions resulting in a lengthened sense of space.

view of living space and the beach beyond from front terrace
image © marie-louise halpenny

(left) central corridor
(right) towards kitchen from dining space
images © marie-louise halpenny

image © marie-louise halpenny

access to beach
image © marie-louise halpenny