Robin House, Callow

PKA's County Mayo 'Passive House' was designed to incorporate elements of both Irish and Australian vernacular architecture, reflecting the nationalities of our clients for the project.

Located on an elevated site overlooking Callow Lake, the design is a direct response of the lifestyle requirements of a growing family and the demands of its unique setting.

In deference to the master Australian architect, Glen Murcutt, and the Irish 'long house' tradition, the plan consists of two parallel ranges of rooms: the sitting, kitchen, dining and family spaces that face south and overlook the lake; and the four bedrooms and bathrooms that overlook the house's rear garden and woodland beyond.

The parallel plan and the double-pitched roof provided the opportunity to create a central roof-lit gallery that connects the main and service entrances, and provides light and sunshine into the interior - especially the rear bedrooms - throughout the year.

Built from a prefabricated system - PKA's client is an Australian-born building contractor - the house was designed to maximise thermal efficiency, air tightness and solar gain. Heating and ventilation is provided by a sustainable combination of air-to-water, solar panels and heat recovery system.

The long low profile and double-pitch roof minimises the visual impact of such a large house on its sensitive setting. Likewise, the timber structure is clad externally in sustainably-sourced cedar, with stone plinths and terrace walls, that contribute to integrating it into the landscape.

The Callow house has featured in various newspaper and magazine articles; both for its contemporary interpretation of vernacular domestic architecture, as well as for its 'Passive House' credentials.

Client: Private

Value: €350,000

Size: 185 sq.m.

Reference: On application
Design: 2007
Completion: 2008