Spending a lot of time on the design stage of your build is essential, especially when the views are facing north! Kevin Shinners spent two years finalising the plans for his Co Tipperary home, and the result was well worth the wait…
The sloping site however, meant there was some excavation involved. “Due to the way the building was orientated, the digging was done at the back, towards the south facing side. With the help of some friends we put in lawn seed and raked like crazy for a few days. That’s the major part done!”Despite the vernacular style, Kevin added some personal touches. “Granite isn’t very common in this area, but it is in older style houses, so I decided to add that in the design, giving it a modern edge. The slate wall, underneath the dining room area, came from my great-great-grandparents’ house! It was originally an old shed which was falling apart so I decided to use what I could from it.”
“The high level of insulation and the fact that we sealed up the house to make it airtight really helped reduce our energy requirements. The U-value achieved was well below the current building regulation requirements.”Energy efficiency “The high level of insulation and the fact that we sealed up the house to make it airtight really helped reduce our energy requirements. The U-value achieved was well below the current building regulation requirements.” As for ventilation, the window frames include a vent which pops in and out manually. “The lighting is standard but the bulbs are all CFL. We also got a cast iron chandelier for the double height entrance hall, which we bought off the shelf.”
Kevin can’t really think of what he’d do differently: “The only thing I would change is to add more storage space. But I have to say I’m struggling to come up with anything other than that… I love the house, the views and the comfort!”Kevin can’t really think of what he’d do differently: “The only thing I would change is to add more storage space. But I have to say I’m struggling to come up with anything other than that… I love the house, the views and the comfort!”