The Old Cottage

The Old Cottage has been in the owner’s family for generations though long abandoned to ruined isolation.

The site consisted of two separate buildings, the cottage and the byre. Some of the buildings' original stones were still in evidence and these formed the backbone and inspiration for the new dwelling.

The cottage and byre were reinstated and refurbished using traditional construction with stone walls and a reclaimed Bangor slate roof.

These are linked by an extension containing living facilities with rendered walls and zinc standing-seam roof contrasting with the original building.

This extension resolves the geometry of linking the two existing buildings and forms a ‘lynch pin’ between them. This pivotal building required height to link satisfactorily the existing buildings, and gives the opportunity to introduce a mezzanine level that allows 360-degree views across the dramatic Donegal landscape.

The resulting architecture is one of careful renovation with a modern intervention.