See Inside This New-Build Home On The Coast Of Ireland With Views Of The Atlantic

Inspired by the contrasting qualities of its coastal location, the interior designer sought a cohesive narrative for this project that celebrated all the elements …

Architect: Allistair Coyne, Ailtireacht Interior Designer: Róisín Lafferty

This ambitious contemporary project, a new-build house located on the coast of Ireland, boasts an ambitious and contemporary design, a rarity in the region. The client, whose stables are also on the grounds, wanted a minimalist design, imbued with warmth and comfort, that was in harmony with the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. Set in an area of Special Conservation and planned as a working farm of 30 acres, the picturesque site is defined by its unique typography and framed views of the Atlantic, which presented a unique challenge for architect Allister Coyne, founder of Ailtireacht.

While the strong profile of the house is a prominent feature in the landscape, the architect sought to position it for privacy and shelter from the climate, as well as orienting it so the length of the house runs parallel to the ocean, delivering amazing views. The entrance hall has a deep covered porch area.

“The design for the farm and farmhouse is based on an archeological and anatomic concept of a ‘found’ head and spine of an osseous concrete archaeology. The culmination of the spinal axis is the farmhouse, bedded behind the existing field pattern of the estate and sheltered from the harsh coastal climate.” Arriving at the house, a stepped ramp forms an elevated viewing platform from which to view the sea and mountains on horseback. “This final moment is horizontally framed by two ring beams, from which, through architectural interlinking and deviation, the spaces of the house and courtyard are defined and created. The views define the position and scale of the fenestration with the remaining infill framed and clad in blackened timber,” says Coyne.

In the hall, the architect specified a floating bench in poured concrete.

A sliding screen in solid oak partitions the entrance hall from the dining space, with floor to ceiling dark-stained marine ply mirroring the blackened timber finish on the exterior. Over the table are powder-coated steel lights from Light Cookie. The walnut and leather dining chairs are from The Contract Chair Company. The curved stool and the white urn are from Rock Hill.

When interior designer Róisín Lafferty was introduced to the project in the early stages of construction, the aim was to integrate forward-thinking interior design with the exquisite architectural vision, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two elements. “Our purpose was to achieve a delicate balance between the strong architectural structure and the cocooning comfort desired by the client,” says Lafferty. “This was an opportunity to deliver something very new, yet with the depth and authenticity that would enhance our client’s family life, and achieve a calm and liveable space away from the bustling activities associated with the stables.”

In the kitchen, Honed Arabescato Vagli marble, from Leinster Stone, was chosen for its soft and natural wave-like pattern, reminiscent of the ocean close by. As well as being used for the island and worktops, it is effective in wrapping the windows to frame the views. The oak veneer cabinetry by O’Gorman Joinery is oiled to give a beachy whitewashed finish.

Admiring the view from outside.

The hexagonal terracotta tiled floor is a nod to the way the owners use this farm-style kitchen, with muddy boots and sand trailed in from the beach. The powder-coated metal dome light is from Eden Design. It is hung so it does not interrupt the eyeline and detract from the view. Open shelves add an air of informality.

Recessed windows, designed by the architect to frame the views, presented a challenge to the interior designer who commissioned automated blinds by David Browne. The window seat is the perfect perch. The curve stool is from Rock Hill.

While the spacious house is a prominent feature in the landscape, it has been designed with privacy in mind. At the heart of the architect’s design, two concrete ring beams, a structural necessity and an aesthetic feature, served as a unifying element, visually linking all spaces and echoing the rawness of the contemporary structure. This became the external and internal focal point for Lafferty who aimed to ensure the interior design complemented the architectural elements, not just serving as a superficial layer.

The link from the pool area to the main terrace.

A plan to integrate joinery and concealed storage would ensure the architect’s grid structure was maintained while at the same time providing functional elegance. Lafferty’s choice of materials was inspired by the surrounding landscape, to create a balance with the structure’s hardness. Seeking a contrast to the quite barren environment, the rugged fields and windswept dunes, and as a counterpoint to the harsh climate, timber floors and ceilings and warm-toned materials create a sense of tactile and acoustic comfort. “In angry weather, you look outside at the magnificently wild landscape and you feel enveloped inside, so you get the best of both worlds. Your view is framed so that you have the perfect space to take it all in. We focused on using the same materials in multiple ways. Timber is used for the ceilings, on the joinery itself, for a lot of the floors and on different surfaces,” says Lafferty.

The paint palette is consistent throughout, with London Clay by Farrow & Ball delivering a warm, rich and earthy vibe. The sofa is by Vincent Van Duysen at Zara Home. The plinths (red travertine and Vitoria Regia quartzite) are from the Róisín Lafferty Essentials interiors collection. The rug is from rugs.ie.

In the double-height living room, normal furniture can look lost, so the designer commissioned a huge artwork by Jan Cools. The stacked coffee tables are from 1st Dibs and Casa Gitane, the armchairs from Zara Home, the marble plinths from Miller Brothers. The pendant light is from Moooi, and the wall light from Ferm Living.

The design concept was closely integrated with the architectural structure, aiming to establish an effortless equilibrium and foster a symbiotic relationship between interior design and the architectural essence. As the client’s investment prioritised the architectural and design elements, using forever materials such as stone, concrete and timber, it was acknowledged that furnishing and decoration would be changed over time as the family’s needs evolved, so the budget was tailored accordingly. The balance between the permanent and the temporary in this house is somehow a true reflection of its place in the landscape.

The connecting corridor between bedroom and walk-in wardrobe features joinery by O’Gorman Joinery.

The master suite, featuring a mirrored and glass cube, epitomises the integration of architecture and interior design, defining the space while capturing breathtaking views.

The master bedroom with limed oak veneer cabinetry and custom brass hardware. Linen curtains add softness and complement the Pinch hessian pendant. The ceramic bedside pendant is by Bocci.