Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560249 - F.I. Received Doc. - Design Concept StatementReplacement of Derelict Dwelling House Clonavogy, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan Prepared by CMD Architects for client Gareth Duffy DESIGNCONCEPTSTATEMENTRECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Table of Contents 1. Introduction o Project Overview 2. Site Context & Analysis o Site Location & Setting o Existing Site Conditions o Historical Context 3. Design Rationale o Design Objectives o Approach to Renovation vs. Demolition 4. Proposed Works o Design Concept o Materiality & Finishes 5. Access & Services o Vehicular & Pedestrian Access o Parking Provision o Drainage, Water & Utilities 6. Compliance with Planning Policy o Local Development Plan Policies 7. Conclusion o Summary of Benefits RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 1. Introduction Project Overview This project proposes the replacement of an existing derelict dwelling house, Co. Monaghan. The design seeks to establish a contemporary, contextually sensitive site intervention. The proposed development will carefully integrate modern architectural elements into the Castleblayney countryside, ensuring that the significant glazed openings are viewable only by those enjoying the dwelling itself and surrounding garden. Large glazed openings will frame the site’s expansive countryside views, while remaining obstruced from the view of the public road, enhancing the building’s relationship with its surroundings. The result will be a thoughtfully considered home that respects the context of the site while providing a light-filled, modern living environment tailored to contemporary needs. Sketch view of the proposed development facing north RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 2. Site Context & Analysis Site Location & Setting The proposed site is located in Clonavogy, a rural townland on the outskirts of Castleblayney, County Monaghan. Characterised by gently undulating agricultural land, scattered one-off dwellings, and mature hedgerows, the area retains a strong rural identity while benefiting from proximity to the town’s amenities and services. The site is accessed via a local secondary road and enjoys views over the surrounding countryside. Its setting offers an opportunity to sensitively integrate contemporary design within the traditional rural landscape of Monaghan. Existing Site Conditions The site currently accommodates a derelict dwelling alongside a collection of disused farm outbuildings, set within a mature rural landscape. Accessed via a narrow laneway that rises gently towards the site, the area is well enclosed by dense tree cover and established hedgerows, which provide natural screening and seclusion. The site is largely hidden from view of the nearby national road, with the surrounding mature vegetation contributing to a strong sense of privacy and reinforcing its connection to the wider agricultural setting. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Proposed Site Layout Plan RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Historical Context Historic Map 6-inch first edition(1820-1842) RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Satellite Image of the Site at present RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 3. Design Rationale Design Objectives The design objectives for this house focus on creating a contemporary, light-filled home that sensitively references traditional rural Irish forms through its simple pitched roof volumes. The layout prioritizes strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, with large glazed openings framing views of the surrounding landscape and flooding the interior with natural light. A clear separation between public and private areas is maintained, while an open-plan living space encourages social interaction. The design aims to achieve energy efficiency through passive solar gain and carefully considered orientation, while maintaining a clean, minimalist aesthetic that sits comfortably within its rural context. Approach to Renovations vs Dereliction In assessing the existing structure, it was determined that demolition represented a more practical and sustainable long- term solution than renovation. The existing building was no longer fit for modern living standards in terms of layout, energy performance, and structural condition. Retrofitting would have been economically and technically unviable, with significant compromises required to meet current regulations and client needs. The decision to demolish allows for a purpose-built, energy-efficient home that responds to both the site and contemporary lifestyle requirements, while still respecting the local vernacular through form, scale, and materiality. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 4. Proposed Works Design Concept The design concept for this dwelling is grounded in the idea of reinterpreting the traditional Irish rural home in a contemporary, functional form. The composition is based on simple, pitched-roof volumes arranged to create clear separations between public and private spaces while maintaining a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. Large glazed openings frame key views and allow natural light to flood the interior, enhancing the sense of openness and bringing the outdoors in. The use of a restrained material palette reinforces this balance of tradition and modernity, delivering a home that is both rooted in its rural context and designed for modern living. View of rear of proposal RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 3D view of proposed ground floor plan 3D view of proposed first floor plan Main Family Entrance Rear Entrance for laundry & services RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Views from side / rear of proposed dwelling RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 The material palette for the proposed dwelling is simple, durable, and rooted in the rural Irish vernacular while embracing a contemporary character. The primary external finish will be a crisp white sand cement render, providing a clean, timeless appearance that sits comfortably within the landscape. The pitched roofs will be finished in traditional blue-black natural slate, referencing historic rural forms. Windows and doors will be dark grey uPVC, offering a modern contrast and ensuring durability and low maintenance. A feature area of vertical timber cladding introduces warmth and texture to the façade, subtly breaking up the rendered surfaces and adding visual interest to the overall composition. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 5. Access & Services Vehicular and Pedestrian Access Access to the proposed dwelling will be provided via the existing established laneway, which extends from the public road directly onto the site. This laneway has historically served the property and will continue to function as the primary vehicular and pedestrian access point, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding landscape and rural character. The proposal will facilitate pedestrian access to both the front and rear of the dwelling, with the rear intended as a private entrance for laundry etc. Careful landscaping and site grading will enhance safe, practical access for vehicles and pedestrians while maintaining the informal, rural quality of the approach. Main Family Entrance Rear Entrance for laundry & services RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Parking Provision Parking is available to both the front and rear of the site. It is intended that guests park to the front entrance of the house and the family park to the rear. Drainage, Water & Utilities A new wastewater treatment system and percolation area is proposed for the development, please see attached Site Assessment Report prepared by Traynor Environmental for further details. An existing water connection exists on site which previously served the now derelict dwelling house to be renovated. The proposed dwelling will connect to existing services where available, with on-site provisions for wastewater treatment and surface water management designed in accordance with current regulations. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 6. Compliance with Planning Policy The house plans are arranged to maximise solar gain into the living spaces of the house throughout the day. This orientation aids heat conservation within the dwelling. EP 8 To support and promote the development and use of passive solar design principles in all new developments taking account of national guidelines and development management policies for rural and urban areas. All the openings on the facades of the proposal are of vertical emphasis and simply arranged. The external walls of the firs floor and entrance are finished in a natural stone to complement its rural context and existing walls, in compliance with Monaghan’s Rural Design Guide. The remainder of the exterior is finished in a simple render. This proposal is reasonable in scale, integrating effectively into its surroundings. The dwelling takes into consideration its context in terms of form and materiality, per guideline HSP 16. HSP 16 To ensure that rural housing applications employ site specific design solutions to provide proposals that integrate into the landscape and that respect their location in terms of siting, design, materials, finishes and landscaping. The overall form of the development is simple, vertically emphasised and vernacular in style. The proposal is divided into two almost-perpendicular forms, one single storey- and one storey and a half-height. Both volumes are less than 9m wide as expected within the Development Plan. The single storey element has a 35-degree roof pitch, while the taller volume is at 45-degrees due to its narrow plan form (6.8m wide) Simple plan form of modest scale and vertical emphasis to gables should be used. External gable depth should not exceed 9m (6.5m for narrow plan form) Roof pitch should be 35 to 40-degree pitch except where the gable depth is below 7.5m, then 45 degrees is acceptable. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 3D Section Views through proposed dwelling RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 Contextual views of proposal RECEIVED: 27/05/2026 7. Conclusion Summary of Benefits This proposed dwelling offers a thoughtfully considered, modern home that respects and reinterprets the rural Irish vernacular. The demolition of the existing substandard structure allows for a purpose-built, energy-efficient house tailored to contemporary living needs. Its simple pitched forms, high-quality durable materials, and carefully positioned glazing create a light-filled, comfortable home with strong connections to the surrounding landscape. The restrained material palette ensures the house sits sensitively within its rural setting, while delivering a clean, timeless aesthetic. Overall, the project represents a sustainable, contextually appropriate and future-proofed family home. RECEIVED: 27/05/2026