Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

More documents

Recommendations

Info

4.PLANNING THE SITEScale, Building Line and Set-backAt an early stage it is essential to consider the scale ofthe proposed house in relation to both the size of theselected plot and the size of existing buildings in thevicinity. Achieving an appropriate scale of a new buildingin the countryside is one of the most importantconsiderations of the site planning process.A large house located in a landscape of small fieldpatterns or within an area of existing small houses willappear incongruous and over-bearing, whereas a smallhouse isolated within a large plot surrounded by openlandscape will appear equally out of place.Over-scaled in relation to plot and distance from roadGenerally, a large house needs an adequately-sized plotthat is capable of comfortably accommodating it, and isin proportion with the surroundings.New houses will need to be set back an acceptabledistance from the road to provide adequate frontage forplanting and to reduce the visual impact of development.In areas of existing housing, the set back distanceshould generally be varied from that of its neighbours soas to avoid the repetition that may otherwise arise from alinear series of buildings.Generally, a minimum set back of 20 metres from thenearest edge of road surface will be required alongCounty and Regional roads and a set back of 30 metresalong National Primary and National Secondary roads.Along New National Primary Roads a set back of 90metres may be required (although the new developmentmay be located closer if it can be demonstrated thatacceptable noise levels can be achieved). In all casesthe amenities of nearby residents need to be fullyconsidered.Under-scaled and exposed in relation to plot sizeTypical set-backAdequately set-back from road and absorbed by plantingScale and Set-back ConsiderationsCareful consideration also needs to be given to the scaleof proposed building in relation to its neighbours. A largehouse should not be placed in proximity to a small one,and conversely a new small house insensitively locatedcan detract from the appearance of an established largehouse. In all cases, the new building should be arrangedto respect the privacy of neighbours and to avoid anyover-looking.Size of a new house should be suitably proportioned to itsplot and not overwhelm smaller scale neighbours30.County Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside
PLANNING THE SITE4.Building Form and ProportionSimple grouping of building formsNew houses in the countryside should aim to reflect thesimple traditional forms, while adapting to meet modernneeds. Overall, a building’s proportions are determinedby the envelope (the width, height and depth of walls)together with the roof pitch (angle). Traditional ruralbuildings have a wide frontage and narrow plan, whichcontrols their scale and proportions and results in aconstant roof pitch. Altering the proportions of the plan,while retaining the same roof pitch, quickly leads to aless appropriate building form.For most new rural houses, simple, familiar forms willappear most appropriate. The general aim should be toadapt the best from the local elements and to interpretshapes and sizes in a contemporary manner. Achievingthe right proportions of a new building is an essentialprerequisite of successful design.Avoid over-scaling traditional form and altering roof pitch to suitWhere necessary the apparent size of a house can bereduced by breaking down the plan footprint into smallerelements, thereby decreasing the overall scale ofbuilding and providing the opportunity for a moreinteresting built form.Avoid “façade” architecture of all types and periodsA rectangular floor plan maximises light and circulationand, with additions that are subservient to the mainblock, presents a flexible template that can beinterpreted and refined in a variety of contemporaryways. The solutions are almost limitless and need to bedetermined by the owners brief for the new house, thelandscape context, and the detailed siting considerationsas set out previously in this Design Advice.In all situations, new house design must be inaccordance with current Irish building regulations (referAppendix 2). This can require skilful interpretation ofstandards to achieve the best proportional relationshipsand design solutions to sometimes competing objectives. 42.A well-proportioned contemporary houseCounty Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside31.
Page 1 and 2: Rural DesignAdvice forIndividualHou
Page 3: CONTENTSPage1. Introduction 1Purpos
Page 6 and 7: 1.INTRODUCTIONPurpose of the Design
Page 8 and 9: 1.INTRODUCTIONThe Local Planning Au
Page 10 and 11: 2.EVOLUTION OF THE COUNTRY HOUSEThe
Page 12 and 13: 2.EVOLUTION OF THE COUNTRY HOUSECla
Page 14 and 15: 2.EVOLUTION OF THE COUNTRY HOUSEVer
Page 16 and 17: 2.EVOLUTION OF THE COUNTRY HOUSEMod
Page 18 and 19: 3.SELECTING THE SITEIf a proper fit
Page 20 and 21: 3.SELECTING THE SITEAgricultural Lo
Page 22 and 23: 3.SELECTING THE SITE31.Western Upla
Page 24 and 25: 3.SELECTING THE SITESite LocationLo
Page 26 and 27: 3.SELECTING THE SITEExisting Develo
Page 28 and 29: 3.SELECTING THE SITERoads and Infra
Page 30 and 31: 3.SELECTING THE SITESite Selection
Page 32 and 33: 4.PLANNING THE SITEContextThe new c
Page 36 and 37: 4.PLANNING THE SITESimple dominant
Page 38 and 39: 4.PLANNING THE SITEBuilding Orienta
Page 40 and 41: 4.PLANNING THE SITERenewable Energy
Page 42 and 43: 4.PLANNING THE SITEGeothermal Energ
Page 44 and 45: 4.PLANNING THE SITEA. Local Sustain
Page 46 and 47: 4.PLANNING THE SITEBoundariesRoadsi
Page 48 and 49: 4.PLANNING THE SITESite Planning Ch
Page 50 and 51: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEThe use of sta
Page 52 and 53: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSETry to avoid:
Page 54 and 55: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEBuilding Form
Page 56 and 57: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSERoofs and Chim
Page 58 and 59: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEDoors, Porches
Page 60 and 61: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEConservatories
Page 62 and 63: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEBuilding Conve
Page 64 and 65: 5.DESIGNING THE HOUSEExtensions to
Page 66 and 67: 6.DESIGNING WITH THE PLANNING SYSTE
Page 72 and 73: 1.APPENDIXRecommended Planting Type
Page 74 and 75: APPENDIX 2.Building RegulationsThe
Page 76: APPENDIX 3a.Design Statement for si

Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?