Project Description:

Sandpiper sits on the top of Howth with wonderful views that take in Lambay Island, Ireland’s Eye, and the Irish Sea.

The original house design took inspiration from modern minimalism, focusing on simplicity, clean geometry, and a harmonious connection between nature and architecture. Cantrell and Crowley were commissioned on two occasions to work on Sandpiper.

The first project was to add a wellness extension comprising of a heated indoor pool, steam room, experience showers and changing rooms, along with a lounging area and pool bar for entertaining family and friends. All, opening onto a high-amenity external terrace complete with Canadian hot tub. The plan form and elevations blend seamlessly with the original house design to include matching brickwork, anodised aluminium floor-to-ceiling windows and pressed metal feature roof overhang.

The second project was to complete an energy efficiency retrofit, along with a full interior makeover of the entire building to include new spatial layouts. The energy efficiency retrofit included roof insulation, cavity insulation, internal wall insulation, energy-efficient lighting, air-to-water heat-pump technology, new efficient radiators, intelligent ventilation systems, new roof lights for solar gain in wintertime, and improved airtightness. The new internal spatial layouts improved the house’s ‘flow’ between the rooms, a high-end fit-out and some external wall interventions like the picture window in the dining-room that frames the view of Lambay Island, and the external landscaping works completed the project.

The project’s approach overall was always to maintain the original house design clean lines, maximise the external view output to the sea and keep the original house material choices, all providing a calm, contemporary atmosphere, bringing the house into the 21^st century ideal, for modern family living.