Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

DESIGNING THE HOUSE5.Conservatories or sun rooms can form attractiveadditions to the house if well-located, as well as a meansfor achieving solar gain. Artificial materials (e.g. UPVc)should be avoided. Generally painted timber is preferred,finished in muted tones such as grey-green. Whites andbright colours can be over-conspicuous, detracting fromthe appearance of the house.Considerations of scale, proportion and spatial layout ofthe house are all important to ensure that a conservatoryis an appropriate addition. They should not be added tofront elevations, or appear too suburban or elaborate instyle. Additions to gable ends or rear elevations areusually most appropriate.Flat roofFront elevationOver-elaborateInappropriate building extensionSimple, gable endSimple, to rearAppropriate building extensionsConservatories and Sun RoomsCounty Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside57.