Belfast Lough

The dwelling is situated on the shore of Belfast Lough which has great views including fantastic sun sets in the latter summer months. The site is situated off the busy Shore Road in Cultra Holywood. The road is populated with dwelling of various styles and shapes with a mixture of dwelling, apartments, and nursing homes. The Yacht club is situated at the end of the road. The sites characteristics have a flat area to the front and a slope rising to approximately 7.5 meters to the rear. Either side of the site are single detached properties the most recent designed by Des Ewing. Our scheme approaches the challenges of the site from a different perspective. The views from the dwelling will be towards the Lough and this allows for mainly North light during the day into late evening when the sun sets, and a lower sun crosses the sight. This dictates that glazing should be on the façade. The design consideration to place the living spaces on the first floor was forced given the view. The lower floor will accommodate bedrooms and the essential utilities. To avoid the slope and impinging on neighbouring privacy the building spans across the site in a linear form and has a smaller return to the rear. This allows morning sun to enter the rear of the building. A balcony runs the length of the building setting the glazing back to the main living spaces and providing privacy. Materials are simple providing a linear brick to the base and a concrete first floor surround. Timber slats are used in areas to provide a semi-private screening which still allows filtered light. The dwellings scale and liner form is intended to integrate with the topography of the area without becoming a simple mimic of the existing forms that already exis