Clonmethan Glebe County Dublin, Irish house extension design, Modern Ireland real estate photos

Clonmethan Glebe home extension in County Dublin

7 July 2025

Architects: DUA

Location: Oldtown, County Dublin, Ireland

Photos: Aisling McCoy

Clonmethan Glebe, Republic of Ireland

This extension was born out of the need to get more natural light into a dark and restricted kitchen.

The existing lean to at the rear of the Glebe House, blocked the potential for light to enter, closing of views of the surrounding landscape and disconnection to the rear garden.

To solve these issues, the lean-to was removed, which opened up the back of the building to penetrate light into the kitchen and entrance hallway as well as the addition of a functional dining and living area that takes advantage of its positioning relative to the sun. A simple charred timber structure houses the sunken down extension, acting as a ribcage to the spaces inside.

At the point of contact between old and new, a glass rooflight runs the length of the extension to mark this transition and to bring light deep into the plan. The charred timber complements the existing Glebe House and blends in with its context to become almost unseen from side view.

The rhythm of the columns is maintained in the roof timbers and cladding to provide a defined view of the extension on approach and from inside the house looking out.

A white bookcase continues the rhythm internally acting as a divider, breaking up the spaces while still allowing light and visual connections to pass through.