Ashleigh House
John F Kennedy Road, Dublin 12
Republic of Ireland

E-mail: Contact@ckarchitecture.ie

Tel: 00(353)16208135

The Brief

In November 2016, CK Architecture was contacted by a family, owner of a semi-detached 2-storey 4 bedrooms dwelling, in Churchtown, Dublin 14. The house was originally built as a 3 bedrooms dwelling later extended to side. The clients were willing to extend at rear in order to enlarge the dining / living area of their home. The family was also in need of an attic conversion to provide an additional bedroom in the dwelling. The property includes a large and deep rear garden that could easily facilitate the construction of another extension. The house had a gross floor area of approximately 141 square metres. The property site has a gross area of approximately 386 square metres. The rear garden is orientated North-North-East. The clients were also interested with sunlight improvement from the rear area of the dwelling at ground floor. The attic space height was low and represented a challenge to provide sufficient headroom for a new bedroom within a new third floor in the house. The existing 2-storey extension and internal modifications had to be considered and taken into account.

The Project

The design included for a double pitch single storey extension to rear, with roof windows collecting the Eastern and Western sun lights. The ground floor extension, with a total floor area of 30 square metres, provides a large open space forming a kitchen, a dining area and a sitting area. The existing kitchen units were replaced and a utility room was created. The existing front lounge was separated from the rear of the house providing an independent and private room to be used independently from the open space. Some of the existing extension steel beams were preserved as well as large columns providing necessary structural support. The attic conversion could not create the required headroom of 2.4 metres within 50% of the floor space, as necessary for air quality in a bedroom. The proposal included for a small heat recovery ventilation system to provide adequate air exchange and air quality in the third floor, which also included an ensuite bathroom. An engineer was appointed to design and certify the heat recovery ventilation system. The attic space headroom was increased with a dormer window located within the existing roof rear slope. The new third floor has a gross floor area of approximately 25 square metres. The dwelling large landing area allowed for the provision of comfortable stairs to access the new third floor. Planning permission for the dormer window and the rear extension was granted during June 2017.

The Construction

Construction started in October 2018. The works included for the replacement of internal doors using fire rated doors necessary for compliance fire safety standards and regulations. A soakaway was created in the rear garden for compliance with the greater Dublin code of practice for drainage works. An engineer was appointed to design the soakaway and organise percolation tests. CK Architecture prepared all the design for compliance with building regulations and planning conditions. CK Architecture was appointed to organise the tender, inspect the construction works and confirm compliance at different stages. CK Architecture was also appointed as the PSDP for the project, while the contractor was appointed as the PSCS in compliance with the "Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013". Two tender procedures were organised due to the first appointed contractor resignation prior to start of the works. The first appointed contractor apparently resigned due to miscalculation within the approved contract price. Construction works were completed in March 2019.