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In a mews lane in Bray, Co Wicklow, sat a pair of coach houses, originally built in the 19th century as stable for the houses in front of them. In the 1940s they had been converted to industrial workshops, but when their current owners acquired them in 2020, they turned to Lee and Damien Culligan of Culligan Architects to turn them into a home.
As well as converting the buildings, the project also involved adding a small charred timber clad extension to the rear to increase their footprint.
“The approach to the design of the project was to maintain as much as the character of the original historic buildings whilst creating a comfortable and spacious family home,” explains Damien Culligan. “Through extensive retrofitting and upgrading to the original building in conjunction with the new extension, the project also achieved a BER rating of A2.”
When it came to choosing materials, they wanted the internal and external finishes to feel cohesive. “The white brick used on the patio and base of the extension was used internally for the new fireplace,” Damien points out.
“The black stained timber vertical cladding on the stairs references the black timber cladding on the extension externally. Terrazzo tiles are used also throughout the ground floor to add texture and interest. The walnut timber of the stairs is also used to frame the windows internally.”
The result is a space that combines its history with sleek finishes, while it manages to feel serene, yet with key standout details. “We love the drama created in the double height main entrance hall with the existing curved wall,” Damien says. We also love the high level west-facing window in the dining area. The light that enters it in the evening time adds a lovely warm glow to the space.”
Photography: Fionn McCann
