Ballymorris House - Donal Colfer Architects: A Dialogue between the Ancient and the Contemporary
Architecture is not just about building, but about engaging with the past and the environment, transforming what exists into something new and relevant.
The Ballymorris House, designed by Donal Colfer Architects, represents a masterful study in integrating historic architecture with contemporary sensibilities. Located in Wexford, Ireland, this residence is the result of the renovation and extension of a 19th-century farmhouse, a project that challenged the architects to preserve the original character while injecting new functional and aesthetic life.
The architectural approach focused on creating visual and spatial connectivity between the original structure and the new additions. Demolition of the rear of the farmhouse made way for a modern, double-height extension, conceived as a "box" opening onto a central courtyard. This courtyard becomes the heart of the complex, visually uniting the main house with the outbuildings and fostering a fluid interaction between the spaces.
One of the most striking elements is the strategic use of natural light. A longitudinal skylight spans the width of the original house, serving as a connector between the old and the new. This intervention not only floods the interiors with light but also creates a narrow bridge linking the original bedrooms to the master suite, offering serene views of the courtyard and the surrounding landscape. Transparency is achieved through large floor-to-ceiling windows that dissolve the boundaries between inside and outside, inviting the rural landscape to become part of the living experience.
The choice of materials reinforces this dialogue. The solidity of the local conglomerate stone of the existing walls is complemented by a palette of American oak, lime plaster, and limestone in the new sections. This combination not only respects the heritage of the site but also introduces a warmth and texture that enrich the spatial experience.
Conclusion and Lessons for New Architects:
The Ballymorris House teaches us that intervention architecture is not about imposing, but about listening. New architects must understand that respect for the existing structure and environment does not limit creativity, but rather enhances it. The key lies in identifying the intrinsic values of the site and the structure, and then, through sensitive and strategic design, weaving a narrative that connects the past with the present, creating spaces that are both innovative and deeply rooted in their context.
Project Description:
A medium-sized 19th-century farmhouse and its outbuildings are extended and renovated for a young family.
The layout of the house has also been opened up and reconfigured to reinforce its connection with the courtyard, whose character is maintained by limiting the changes made to the exterior of the outbuildings, only extending and opening up some existing stone walls.
A system of sightlines is created within the building complex to allow connections between the main living area of the house and the new living spaces in the outbuildings.
A simple palette of oak, plaster, and limestone is used to complement the existing walls of local conglomerate stone.
Architects: Donal Colfer Architects
Location: Wexford, Ireland
Team: Donal Colfer, Conor McHugh, Kevin Kelly
Project Year: 2009
Project Area: 380.0 m2
Photographs: Alice Clancy
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