Slemish Design Studio Architects Architecture, Planning & Project Management

A modern house at the foot of Muckish mountain overlooking Horn Head in Dunfanaghy

modern rural home situated just outside the small coastal village of Dunfanaghy, on Donegal’s North-Western fringe.

The dwelling has been designed to take full advantage of the existing sloping site by offering both single and two storey living to accommodate our clients ideal brief. Splitting the dwelling into two main areas mainly for sleeping and living is an approach we have used before, but works well in offering our client the opportunity to create a large open plan space for relaxing, cooking or entertaining friends or family. The space is further enhanced by a vaulted ceiling.

This open planned kitchen living dining space opens out onto a larger external landscaped area allowing for a connection between inside and outside. Large expanses of glazing allow for light, solar gain and spectacular 180-degree views of the nearby Muckish Mountain and Horn Head.

It was our clients wish to use a mix of materials, so our choice of materially focuses mainly on locally sourced natural stone, smooth white render and zinc cladding, bringing both warmth and contrast to the north and south-facing elevations, whilst invoking a sympathetic nod to the existing rural context. Our clients brief also included the desire to allow for sustainable living through the use of various renewable technologies.