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I always like to make architecture that is both looking backwards and forwards – to build on local character and traditions in an entirely contemporary way. I like designs that are replete with references and cultural connections rather than shallow novelties.
Recenty, I have been preoccupied with the quality of light in our buildings and so have been spending a lot of time making beautiful rooflights. I think that thoughtfully captured light has the ability to bring a project alive, especially in Ireland where the changefulness of the weather allows one to give a space a constant sense of discovery.
Brick has always been my favourite material. It gives a sense of strength and permanence. It also has a variable quality that gives a diversity of appearance rather than just a flat colour. Importantly, because a brick is the size of a hand, we instinctively understand the human effort that made it, which makes a building feel well-crafted – also a desirable quality.
The Casino Marino is my favourite building in Ireland. It may appear to be an uptight neoclassical monument but upends our expectations at every turn. It looks like a single storey but is in fact three; what appears to be one room contains 16 and a roof deck; light arrives from unexpected places and it was built for partying. This sense of the unexpected is something I constantly strive for in our work.
This feature originally appeared in the autumn/winter 2023 issue of IMAGE Interiors. Have you thought about becoming a subscriber? Find out more, and sign up here.