Storks Nest, Compass Hill, Kinsale

Job Name: Storks Nest’, Compass Hill, Kinsale Co. Cork

Client: Private client in Kinsale. 

Description:  ‘Storks Nest’  was a semi-detached Georgian house built C 1780, for the British Navy. One of the houses burnt down   and Storks Nest was left standing on its own. The house was acquired by the present owners and we were asked to extend the building to suit the owners requirement with their family. Various options were considered, including re-building a mirrored replica of the remaining semi-detached period building, to form one dwelling but appearing, as the original pair of semi’s. 

However, this was too restrictive in terms of the owners spatial requirements and the concept of surrounding the existing refurbished period building with contemporary extensions on three sides was explored. The modern extensions are set back from the original front facade and are lower in height so as not to over power the impressive Georgian facade. 

The original roof timbers were retained as well as the original front and rear walls. An exact replica of the original staircase was made and the existing timber floors were replaced with concrete to achieve under floor heating throughout the ‘old’  and the ‘new’ parts of the house. New boundary walls and iron railings help to connect the two styles into a balanced composition.