Architectural Farm Adds Bird Hide-Inspired Extension to Irish Coastal Cottage

Dublin-based studio Architectural Farm has completed a renovation and extension of Seagull Cottage, a historic home in Wicklow, Ireland. The project involved reconfiguring two combined 19th-century railway cottages and adding a 13-square-meter timber-clad extension. The new structure draws inspiration from local bird hides and railway architecture, featuring larch cladding and a design that minimizes ground contact to reduce environmental impact. Architectural Farm, founded in 2010 by Shane Cotter and Kathryn Wilson, aimed to open the home's interiors to natural light and views of the surrounding landscape, which includes protected wetlands and the Irish Sea. The extension, positioned half a level above the main living area, contains a raised seating space called 'The Perch' with panoramic windows. Interior updates include a skylit living, dining, and kitchen area, white walls, stone floors, and an ensuite bedroom with a balcony. The studio noted the design respects the original cottage's proportions while enhancing connection to the site.