Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside

DESIGNING THE HOUSE5.Design PrinciplesThe approach to conversion should be simple anduncluttered, with no attempt to over-domesticate orsuburbanise the building or its setting. The originalidiosyncrasies of the building should be conserved andenhanced.78.The original building height and eaves lines must be fullyrespected. A traditional two-storey building should not beconverted by raising the roof structure, which wouldcompletely change its character and appearance. Theinternal room layout should be arranged so that theoriginal structure, openings and features can be retained,or adapted with as few external changes as possible.Roofs are particularly important features of traditionalbuildings and should not be ‘over-restored’. The existingstructure should be retained wherever possible, and theexpanse of roof left uncluttered. The addition of anexternal chimney stack is almost always unsuitable.79.The addition of dormers are usually too domestic incharacter and should be avoided. Where required, flushfitting rooflights are more suitable for buildings with loweaves, provided that they are narrow and not too large ornumerous. Roofing materials should be slate, laid to theoriginal pattern (usually graduated with large slates atthe eaves diminishing in size towards the ridge).All existing materials should be salvaged and re-used.Only good quality natural materials should be added, andwherever possible of local origin.80.Where new stonework is required, the size, coursing,joint width and pointing should match the original asclosely as possible. New pointing or re-pointing shouldbe carried out using a lime-rich mortar with flush finishedjoints.81.Window and door openings should be retained unalteredwhenever possible. If new openings are necessary theyshould be vertically proportioned. Doors and windowsshould be recessed to create strong shadow lines and togive good weather protection. Most new window anddoor joinery will need to be purpose-made (original doorsand windows may be repaired or their pattern reused oradapted for new joinery).Sensitively converted buildingsCounty Limerick: Rural Design Advice for Individual Houses in the Countryside59.