McGonigle McGrath's Tollymore: A Cluster of Rock-Like Volumes in Rural Northern Ireland
McGonigle McGrath, a studio located in Belfast, has finalized the construction of Tollymore, a house situated by a river in County Down, Northern Ireland. The structure consists of six grey-brick sections that descend a steep slope. This design was developed in response to a client request for compact 'pods' aimed at maximizing views of nature and the sounds of the river. Kieran McGonigle, the principal, referred to it as a "fantastic site" with a "unique brief." Each section is positioned on a tiered concrete base, maintaining a consistent roofline that introduces varied heights. The layout includes two living spaces, three bedrooms, and one adaptable area, with the option to close off three sections when children are not present, thus lowering expenses. Established in 2012, McGonigle McGrath earned the RIBA House of the Year award in 2019 for House Lessans. Photography credits go to Johan Dehlin.
Key facts
- Tollymore is a house in County Down, Northern Ireland, by McGonigle McGrath.
- The house consists of six rectangular volumes set at different levels on a steep site.
- The volumes are clad in grey brick with granite-gravel roofs and raised on board-marked concrete plinths.
- The design was based on a client brief for small 'pods' to maximize views and river sounds.
- The six blocks include two living areas, three sleeping zones, and one flexible space.
- Moving between rooms requires going outside, described as a 'ritual experience'.
- Interiors feature warm hardwoods, exposed beams, terrazzo, and lime-washed plaster.
- McGonigle McGrath was founded in 2012 and won RIBA House of the Year in 2019 for House Lessans.
- Photography is by Johan Dehlin.
Entities
Artists
- Kieran McGonigle
- Aidan McGrath
- Johan Dehlin
Institutions
- McGonigle McGrath
- RIBA
- Dezeen
Locations
- County Down
- Northern Ireland
- Belfast
Sources
- Dezeen —