Kilsallagh Holiday Houses, Co. Mayo

The design of PKA's Kilsallagh holiday houses is an exemplar in the contemporary interpretation of the Irish vernacular. Their built form, white render, wood windows and slate roofs reflect the traditional architecture of the west of Ireland.

Located between Croagh Patrick and Old Head, County Mayo, the pair of houses share a single site with a single access from the public road. Planned around a shared courtyard, the rotation of their placement on the site ensures that each has its own outside terrace and views of the landscape, and that there is no overlooking between the two.

Optimising natural daylight and solar gain, the narrow floor plan of each comprises an open-plan kitchen, dining and living room - as well as an en-suite bedroom - on the ground floor, with two further bedrooms and a bathroom overhead.

The silhouette created by the pairing of the houses contrasts with the spectacular mountain landscape of Croagh Patrick which forms a backdrop to the site.

The palette of internal finishes - slate floors, white walls, hardwood windows, exposed ceilings, painted joinery and simple furniture has been designed to create an atmosphere of calm wellbeing.

The Killsallagh houses have been published widely and showcased on a number of televised design programmes. They have also been used as exemplars of best practice in a number of local authority planning guidelines on rural housing design. They have also featured in both the RIAI and the AAI architecture awards, as well as being highly commended in the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing, Ireland's premium award for housing.

Client: PBL Developments Ltd.

Value: €250,000

Size: 260 Sq.m.

Reference: Mr. Brian Quinn, Ireland West Tourism, Westport
Design: 1998
Completion: 1999