Client: NHF Construction Limited

Location: Ballintotty, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

Role: Design Architects

Project Type: Private Residence - Renovation to achieve high levels of energy efficiency

Construction Value: Confidential

Description: Under Construction
The existing house is situated on a mature and secluded site. Directly south-west of the house is Ballintotty Castle, the ruin of a four storey rectangular tower house built in the 15th century. The design concept respects the existing house and seeks to bring together the various site conditions while creating a building form that embraces the view to the castle. This is achieved by minimising any interference to the existing dwelling by positioning the new accommodation in a separate block linked to the existing house by a single storey glazed sunroom. The new block is angled away from the existing house, thus embracing the castle and maximising solar gain.

Both the existing house and the new block have been insulated to very high levels with careful consideration given to air-tightness. A high efficiency 22kw pellet stove with integrated back boiler provides all central heating and domestic hot water needs. To supplement this, 6m.sq. of thermal solar panels will provide approximately 60% of annual domestic hot water needs.

Overall, the combination of maximum passive solar gain, high levels of insulation, excellent air tightness, a wood pellet central heating system and the solar panels will combine to create a highly efficient dwelling with very limited carbon emissions.