Palmerston Park Rathmines

PKA's extensive development of this Rathmines house and gardens included remodelling the Edwardian original - a protected structure - as well as the design of a large family room and swimming pool extension in the rear garden.

Prior to being purchased by our clients, the house had been sub-divided into separate units by its previous owners - with the loss of many of its original features.

The programme of conservation works required included damp and rot treatments, structural repairs and services renewals to return the house's fine-proportioned rooms to their original splendour, as well as some reconfiguration of the layout to provide bathrooms and such-like.

To the rear, PKA added a pair of two-storey, cedar-clad extensions: one to accommodate a double-height family room that connects the first-floor entrance with the Rachel Lamb-designed garden; and a second to provide a gym and lap-pool for the fitness-conscious family.

The first-floor, entrance-level, front and rear reception rooms were opened-up to create an interconnected kitchen, dining and living room, as well as to take maximum advantage of their south-facing aspect and exceptional views over Palmerston Park.

The insertion of a new staircase between the hall-floor with the double-height garden-level family room provides a dramatic alternative to the enclosed stair-hall that previously existed.

The challenge for PKA was to strike a balance between restoring the house to its original state and creating a home to accommodate the family's contemporary lifestyle - with a design that the combines the new and the old into an architecture that is richer than either on its own.

Client: Private

Value: €1,000,000
Size: 350 sq.m.

Reference: On application
Design: 1998
Completion: 2001