Golden Bay
Galway
Golden Bay is located near the village of Cong on the shore of Lough Corrib where the site slopes steeply above the lakeshore to face south over the water.
The house is embedded in the hillside with the boathouse accommodation at the lowest level just above the shoreline. Living accommodation gradually ascends the hillside with the principal rooms positioned at the highest level and enjoying lake views and ideal solar orientation.
The site entrance is at shore level from which a gravelled driveway winds uphill around the house ending in an informal courtyard shaped by the stone walls of the house and limestone-filled gabion retaining walls set into the hillside.
The external form of the house reads as three layers, the solid limestone base of the lower levels, and the folding plate of the zinc roof and the open central layer of the main living spaces.
The main living room volume extends the entire south façade and contains the open plan sitting, dining and kitchen areas. The entire south wall is formed by vast triple glazed windows which open onto a limestone flagged balcony.
Within the house, the ceiling under the zinc roof follows the profile of the external folds, maximizing the volume of the internal spaces throughout the house. In the living room the folding surface continues down the chimney breast to twist and angle the fireplace snugly towards the sitting area.
The boundary between the maintained landscaping which edges the house and the natural landscaping beyond is delineated by the gravelled driveway. The inner landscape features simple grass covered mounds and carefully placed ‘found’ boulders. The outside landscape of bracken, fern and indigenous trees will remain wild and untouched.
Client
Private
Size
647 m2
Type
Private House
Dates
Completed June 2010
Category
Residential
Awards
House Exhibition 2012