House Extension in Phibsborough

Dublin, Ireland | 2022
[Jack O’Kelly Architects]
Photography by: Peter Molloy

This renovation project in Phibsborough, North Dublin, set out to restore and reconfigure where necessary a nineteenth-century red brick Victorian terrace house. A small extension was also added at the rear of the house to create a new kitchen.

There are many Victorian red brick homes in the area, lying in a network of small streets which form a close-knit community of buildings. These brick homes are full of character, with subtle brick detailing at the parapet, door and window openings producing a rich effect that enhances the character and atmosphere of the street.

Our design introduces this brick detailing into the interior of the project. The initial design investigated how brickwork could connect the different interior spaces. The final design sees quarry tiles travelling through the interior spaces connecting the new and existing rooms. There is a slight change in the brick bond as the brick pattern moves from room to room.

Where the existing Victorian layout was retained the finished material was kept neutral with oak flooring and white lime paint on walls and ceilings. Red quarry tiles were used in the areas where the layout was modified from its original use. The quarry tiles were used in the new bathroom in the shower area, walls and floors. It was also used in the hallway and ramp connecting the new kitchen to the original house. In the kitchen it is laid on the floor, kitchen splash back and at the back of a new oak bench. In the new kitchen space, the brick quarry tiles work with the new bespoke oak kitchen units and bench to create a contemporary space that still references the past and character of the Victorian red brick homes of Phibsborough. Text description by the architects.

​Source: www.petermolloyphotography.com +​ www.jackokelly.com