Caherbarnagh

The house is situated on an elevated site overlooking Lough Currane near Waterville, in County Kerry.

Our client’s brief was for a single-storey 5 bedroom house that would both optimize the stunning views and tolerate the exposed nature of the site.

The solution was to create a H-shaped plan orientated diagonally to the lake shore. This diagonal arrangement optimises the views and sun-path. The two long arms of the H separately provide the bedroom and living accommodation. The link arm accommodates the entrance. The bedroom wing faces south and east with views of the mountains and east shore of the lake. The living and kitchen arm faces south and west, with views over the lake and beyond towards Waterville and the sea.

The H-shaped plan creates inner courts, which provide sheltered external spaces. The entrance to the house is located within the sheltered court on the approach side. The walls of this court are whitewashed to create a light filled sheltered oasis on windy days and a balance against the more exposed nature of the other facades. A window seat, set in a bay window on the bedroom arm corridor faces onto this court to provide a quiet refuge within the house.

A large window opposite the entrance door frames a view of the lake and Church Island in the distance giving an immediate and breathtaking impression of the lakeside views.

The master bedroom, living room and kitchen all open onto timber decks, creating external rooms overlooking the lake. The deck outside the kitchen has an external fireplace.

Slatted timber shutters slide in front of the windows to provide additional weather screening during storms as well as additional security when the house is unoccupied.

The external walls are constructed in open jointed Valentia slate. The windows and shutters are dark stained teak. The roof is natural slate with a stainless steel rain water box gutter.