Refurbishing on a budget
Minimum intervention, maximum effect
Using carefully considered design changes, this dated 1980’s bungalow in Derry has been transformed into a modern family house
aaltspace was appointed by a previous client keen to update their newly purchased property in Derry. Having relocated to Northern Ireland with their young family, they needed a rapid appraisal of how their house could be updated on a limited budget. aaltspace carried out an initial property survey and undertook design options, testing the feasibility of what was possible within the available budget. This exercise helped crystalise the client’s brief in a manner that balanced their need for practical modernisation but kept a strong emphasis on how good design could unlock the house’s potential.
We distilled the brief into key areas: first impressions, a sense of place, spatial flow, daylight and views. The old plan was scrutinised and its ‘good bones’ identified and retained or subtly altered to enhance and adapt the plan in an economic, affordable way.
The existing building
The existing approach felt unwelcoming, dominated by tarmac and an imposing cement rendered wing. The main entrance was tucked under a utilitarian porch with functional windows and poorly designed hard landscaping. aaltspace inserted a new larch timber lining, new feature picture window to the sitting room, tiled terrace and glazed entrance containing a remodelled lobby and cloak room. Materials were selected to be cost effective, but carefully detailed and rigorously installed to lift the building’s appearance beyond its ‘municipal’ style into a more joyful and resolved composition. The timber lining and terrace flooring has been carried into the remodelled lobby, blurring the distinction between inside and out and forming an ante-space to the remodelled hallway, since cleansed of the old wired glass wind lobby and updated with a panelled feature wall. One’s sense of arrival and place has been really improved.
A 3D feasibility study helped communicate the architectural intent
Simple, well detailed materials
Remodelling the entrance for the client
Rigorously installed new materials
The remodelled entrance creates a good first impression. The new entrance lobby mediates between terrace and hallway, inside and out and offers a warm welcome to the owners, friends and family.
Internally, existing openings have been carefully controlled to open up or close off routes and views. An existing door opening off the newly modelled hallway has become a glazed screen activating a diagonal vista that visually links rooms and draws the eye deep into the plan and beyond to outside. Other new openings are limited in number but carefully considered to enhance the flow of the house and feeling of space. A new oak floor has been laid throughout to pull the key living rooms and hallway together, enhancing the feeling of space and connectedness.
aaltspace has used the architectural enfilade - a classical composition technique - to frame views and openings to great success. Key living spaces seamlessly link together, framing vistas, layering space, and playing with light and volume.
The Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershoi, who practiced at the cusp of the 20th Century and painted mainly interiors remains a strong influence on aaltspce’s own practice. Hammershoi’s formal simplicity and use of framed views, side lit scenes and implied and layered spaces are a constant source of inspiration.
Construction
Construction was expertly carried out by Ivan McGuinness and his team who really engaged with aaltspace’s design approach and fully understood the quality we were aiming to achieve. During the course of the project, the existing roof was strengthened and its structure consolidated.
Structural Engineering was carried out by Éamonn O’Neill.
Great communication is key to a successful outcome, and this is evident here in the builder’s attention to detail and the engineer’s advice.
Existing Images
All photography, images and content is the copyright of Nick O’Neill and aaltspace