An Extended Family Home Rooted in Irish Vernacular Gort Uí Ghaoithín, designed by fuinneamh workshop, is a family home located in the rural landscape of County Clare, Ireland. The architectural design is anchored by a four-square layout, which informs the spatial organization of the residence. The home is composed of three distinct block forms, with the central block serving as the living quarters, flanked by sleeping blocks on either side. This configuration emphasizes the centrality of communal living spaces. The entrance to the home is marked by a porch that leads into the central block, establishing a clear point of arrival. The design of the openings draws inspiration from early 20th-century Irish farmhouses, incorporating blind windows to maintain classical rhythms where functional windows are not feasible. This approach adapts them to contemporary needs. Externally, the house is clad in a wet dash plaster finish, complemented by a drystone wall and a black slate roof, all of which are traditional materials in the region. These elements ground the building in its local context, creating a dialogue between the new construction and its rural surroundings.

Design Highlights

Four-square spatial layout dictating the overall structure Central block for living quarters, flanked by sleeping blocks Porch marking the principal entrance Openings inspired by early 20th-century Irish farmhouses Use of vernacular materials: wet dash plaster, drystone wall, black slate roof

Key Facts