Bar Na Don, Glandore, Co. Cork

PKA's remodelling has turned this run-down nineteen-fifties house into a spectacular holiday home, maximising the potential of its panoramic views of Union Hall harbour and its busy fishing port.

Situated at the edge of the West Cork village of Glandore, the house sits directly on the main street, with only a narrow area separating it from the public footpath. Its rear facade, however, faces south-west with terraces at both levels which lead to a staircase that drops to the shore and a private swimming / mooring place.

Reversing the house's original layout, PKA's scheme locates the bedrooms at the lower level, with the living spaces above. The open-plan living, dining and kitchen areas have views to the sea, with a continuous glass wall that opens onto a semi-covered verandah. At the lower level, bedrooms also have sliding doors onto a terrace with sea views.

On both levels the sea-facing rooms are separated from the rear service spaces by a corridor gallery which, on the upper level is lit by a continuous rooflight that brings sunshine into the depth of the lower level via the large staircase void.

Externally, the house is essentially unaltered when seen from the street. It is however transformed on the sea side by the addition of a new layer, formed by the fully glazed extension, terraces and external staircases that connect each level to the garden and shore below.

Completed in 1998, the house has featured in numerous publications and TV design features; for a time it was the holiday home of TV personality Carol Vorderman.

Client: Private
Value: €250,000

Size: 320 sq.m.

Reference: On application
Design: 1996
Completion: 1998