peter legge associates: connemara

‘connemara’ by peter legge associates, connemara, ireland all images © sean breithaupt + yvette monahan photography all images courtesy peter legge associates

dublin-based practice peter legge associates have completed ‘connemara’, a reconstruction of two degraded cottages in connemara, ireland into a single family residence. positioned within the rural countryside, the vernacular structures are constructed with stacked stone, similar to the low lying stone walls which run through the bucolic landscape of rolling hills. serving as the main entrance, a void between the staggered footprints are linked with a transparent enclosure allowing views towards both the irish sea and the twelve pins, the inland mountain range in the distance. mimicking the roof pitch of the original houses, the steel and glass framed enclosure contains the vertical circulation, a stair formed with concrete treads which are secured within the adjacent exterior walls.

with views of the coast, the kitchen and dining area area bordered with glass bi-fold doors which may be opened to connect with the outdoors. additional smaller windows within the thick stone walls allow daylight to enter the interior from the east and west while the bedroom and bath of the upper level are illuminated with skylights oriented towards to ocean.

view of the irish sea

approach to residence

entry facade

staggered placement of two cottages is connected with a glass enclosure

dining area’s glass doors closed

dining area’s glass doors open

view towards the ocean from the kitchen

kitchen

void between the cottages becomes the central stair

portal to living area

fireplace

(left) upper level corridor between the cottages (right) bedroom

bathroom

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

elevation