No doubt about it, the way people use their homes has changed. During the Covid Pandemic we have been forced to stay at home and perhaps use our homes in new and different ways. Spending more time at home has made us more intimately aware of the space we live in, of its advantages and flaws, such as the lack of space, the lack of natural light, the lack of privacy for zoom calls or video schooling, the lack of personal space. Spending a considerable amount of time at home has made many realise the need to improve the space we live in to perhaps add a home office or study to create a comfortable work/study environment, undertake loft conversions, add an extra bathroom, improve outdoor living and access to nature, or improve the existing internal space.
Improving Existing Space & Introducing Natural Light
Architects are trained in how to find space and create the illusion of space. Our Cabra House project involved the remodelling of a Dublin city bungalow adjoining Phoenix Park. This house was built in 1920's and typical of that era, had small compartmental rooms with small windows. The layout was dark and cramped. We opened up the living space and introduced plenty of natural light into the home. We knocked through some of the small cellular spaces to transform into a light-filled open plan living/dining/kitchen area. More information on this Dublin bungalow refurbishment can be found here.
We were approached by clients who purchased a 3 storey red brick Victorian house on Belfast's Upper Newtownards Road. Although this house seemed large spread over 3 floors, it had small dark rooms and a lot of underutilised space resulting in minimal actual living space. We rearranged the internal layout so it added space within the existing footprint of their home and transformed the living space to work better for the occupants.
"We were very surprised with the useful space Farren Architects found within the existing house footprint. We ended up with a living space that suits our needs without the expense of a large extension. " Jane & Chris Anderson
Loft Conversions & Additional Rooms
At our Cabra House project, we also included a loft conversion and added an extra bedroom and bathroom with carefully placed roof lights to maximise the natural light with fabulous views over Phoneix Park, maximising the space available within our Client's existing home.
We added a loft conversion to our Cultra House refurbishment project to include an extra bedroom, bathroom and home office with a large window that has amazing views over Belfast Lough. This is now a private space to work and study away from communal areas of the home.
Home Office & Studies
One of the biggest challenges for many since Covid has been working or learning from home. In many homes there is a lack of space or privacy. In Ballyhackamore, East Belfast, we designed a bright office space on the first floor landing of the home, a previously underused dark space at the top of a flight of stairs.
We placed a large window and sliding door, which when open floods the stairwell with natural light. Having this purpose-built office space helps create a healthier work/home balance.
Kitchen & Living Spaces
Since the Covid Pandemic we have started using our kitchens more. They have become multi-functional spaces. We have been approached by many clients wishing to improve and extend their existing kitchen and living spaces. At Kirkliston Drive Extension in Ballyhackamore, Belfast the design creates a generous open plan living, dining and kitchen area. The large portions of glazing creates a light-filled space with connection to the outdoors.
Our design for an extension to this 1950's semi-detached dwelling in Dungiven, Co Derry, included a generous open plan living/kitchen/dining space to the rear to relieve the otherwise compartmental feel with an additional ensuite bedroom upstairs and an external courtyard. This extension has provided a flexible multi-purpose space not only for cooking, but also for a myriad of other activities that has been placed on kitchens and living spaces such as working from home, spending time with family and homeschooling. Find out more on this project here
Outdoor Space
The need for accessible outdoor spaces and gardens has become more valuable during the pandemic. Clients have requested private outdoor spaces and havens. We designed a bespoke separate external semi-enclosed sun garden terrace in County Tyrone that included a seated area for 8 people and connected to a dining area with a dual frontage stove for heat. A palette of natural materials of stone, timber and glass was used. A pergola of corTen frames supported a veranda at first floor which was connected to the house through a glass bridge. This was all set within a wild flower garden design. Find out more on this project here.
How Farren Architects Can Help You
The Covid Pandemic has made us all more mindful of the space we live in. We need space to spend with our family, as well as space to work, learn, exercise, be alone and recharge. It has made many of us reassess what we want in a house and many of our clients realised the need to improve their space. Architects can provide specific hands on help with design and refurbishment work. Farren Architects have a proven technical understanding of buildings and their requirements. We are experienced in working out a design that fits your individual wants and needs, as well as knowing what works practically within your budget. We have designed home offices and studies to create comfortable work/study environments, designed loft conversions, added extra bathrooms and rooms, improved outdoor living, and designed improvements to existing internal living spaces.
Farren Architects can help not only in designing a space unique to your wants and needs, but we can also solve problems that building projects often experience, advise on where to save on costs, help guide you through the process, help chose the right materials to give you the result you want, help with interior finishing and give you peace on mind.
