Sherkin Island
The ruins of O’ Driscoll’s castle, Dún na Long, border the edge of this coastal site on Sherkin Island. Its presence reminds us of the long history of settlement at this location, known locally as the “Rock”. To the south is a friary dating from the 1460s and the island’s principal pier which acts as the primary connection to the mainland. Picturesque views from the site to Baltimore Beacon and the Atlantic beyond, as well as across Roaring Water Bay to Baltimore Harbour, inspired the concept for the design for this cluster of community houses. These two diagonal views are framed through a series of interlocking courtyards around which the houses sit. This space creates an egalitarian platform from which the residences can enjoy the beauty of the setting. Narrow gaps between the courtyards create paths which allow for permeability to the landscape. The tightness of the paths forces casual interactions between the residents. Formally, the houses, whether two bedroom units or three bedroom units are organised around an identical ground floor plan. This serves to further enhance the egalitarian ambitions of the project. Finally, the massing of the houses reflects the proportions of the vernacular, while the external materials adopted aim to acknowledge the materials found on west Cork rural settlements from the last century.
Housing Body
Carbery Housing Association
Quantity Surveyor
Neil Buggy, ProSpec
Contractor
Farranacouch Limited
Engineering
Niall Ryan Consulting Engineer
Ecologists
Flynn Furney Environmental Consultants
Lighing Consultants
Signify
Collaborators
James Costello, Seán Ó hEachtigheirn
Photography
Seán Antóin Ó Muirí
Project Area
473m² (Phase 1)
Site Area
0.6956Ha
Design
2022-2024
