Design guide · Donegal County Council
Building a House in Rural Donegal: A Location, Siting and Design Guide
The council's guidance on siting and designing a house in the countryside.
Donegal County Council · 19 pages
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- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 9 3.0 SITING The capacity of the countryside to accept new development varies according to the local character of the area, therefore to design with the landscape goes some way to ensure the positioning of buildings are unobtrusive and visually appealing in their setting. When considering the potential of a site for a dwelling in the countryside, become familiar with the site, read the landscape, and think about the siting of the new dwelling. In doing so the specifics of the site are analysed which consider a number of issues, this site analysis in turn informs the plan form/layout of the dwelling on the site and includes: Topography. Orientation. Boundary Treatments/Entrance and Access. Gardens Cultural Influence. It is recognised that building a house, for many, is the single largest investment they are likely to make and therefore maximising a sites potential is essential in creating an energy efficient home, a quality living environment and a positive addition to the landscape. Notwithstanding the above the siting of a building in the countryside is considered one of the most important aspects of the planning process. Site Analysis A site analysis identifies significant features or qualities of a site and involves, visiting the site, walking the site, referencing photographs, archives, sketches, mapping etc. This investigation brings a greater sensitivity to and understanding of the opportunities of the site which in turn informs the design process and planning evaluation. As a starting point, it may be useful to photograph the local area within which the site sits. Photographs taken from key vantage points may inform the visual impact of proposed development on the site, considering in particular the long views towards the site. This information may be included within a planning application and referred to as supporting documentation informing the decision making process.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 10 Each of the key considerations of topography, orientation, boundary treatment/entrance and access, gardens and other cultural influences are now discussed in more detail, the findings of which inform the siting and layout of any proposed building on the site. A holistic approach is to be adopted in the design process displaying sensitivity towards the rural environment and natural energy conservation, acknowledging and respecting the rural nature of the surrounding landscape and specifics of the site. Topography Donegal is a rich and diverse scenic landscape, and includes rolling fertile plains and valleys, magnificent upland and mountain, spectacular rugged coastline and a profusion of inland waterways and loughs, all of which inform the topography of the county. Consider: Where possible position buildings to run along the contours of the site. In exceptional circumstances, where it is necessary to run across the contours introduce stepped gables and rooflines, as necessary provide a detailed contour survey which will inform the design process. Avoid the unnecessary excavation of the site to create a building platform incongruous within its natural setting. Site your buildings to blend sympathetically with the landscape, integrating rather than dominating the host environment. Construction of houses on elevated or exposed sites which will be obtrusive and which will detract from the visual character of the rural area will not be permitted. The building should be sited so as not to break the skyline or waterline. Orientation The orientation of a house should recognise prevailing winds, prospects and the path of the sun. Orientation was a critical factor in the traditional siting of houses and it should remain so, to conserve energy and potentially reduce home heating bills. Rural dwellings typically demonstrate a strong ratio of solid to void whereby walling is the dominant element, this is a particularly important consideration on the north elevation where windows may be typically smaller to minimise heat loss with typically larger expanses of glass on the south side, usually with a vertical emphasis to maximise light and solar gain.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 11 Site your building to capitalize on passive solar gain and shelter from the prevailing wind. Design your building to provide for maximum sunlight, creating spaces for entertaining and safe play. Entrances and doorways should be located and designed to provide shelter from the prevailing wind. Where possible utilise existing trees to provide a shelter belt from the wind and rain. Consider presenting the gable to the exposed windward situation, well sheltered areas enable planting to succeed and contribute further to the visual integration of buildings in the countryside. Consider the location of internal rooms to maximise the path of the sun; morning sun into your kitchen, setting sun furnishing the living room, and thus informing the building foot print. Orientation of the house shall be determined by factors such as sun, wind and land form, not the alignment of the nearest road. A narrow plan footprint allows for dual aspect and can benefit from 100% solar gain and day-lighting. Boundary Treatment/Entrance and Access The field pattern, road network, neighbouring buildings, boundary walls gates and gardens, hedgerows and trees, inform the landscape and can provide a backdrop within which a new building may sit in the countryside considering; Boundary Treatment: Boundary condition, to include details of gates, pillars and boundary wall finishes, hedges and vegetation are to be detailed so as to enhance the existing field boundary and complement rather than dominate the house within. Boundary walls are to respect traditional road boundaries, while providing privacy and security for their recipients. Where possible re-use any existing stone on the site supplemented with local stone, and re-build walls typical of the area, in coursing, jointing, height and detail. Existing dry stone walls are to be retained where possible where they provide a positive contribution to the surrounding area. Where removal of a dry stone wall is necessary so as to conform with visibility standards, or for the purposes of road widening, a new dry stone wall shall be provided to the satisfaction of the council.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 12 Specifics of boundary condition to include gates, pillars and walls are to complement the immediate area and not appear overly dominant to neighbouring buildings or along the road side. Access and Entrance: The details and requirements of the access servicing a new dwelling are to be considered in line with Technical Standards Chapter 10. Access to the site should consider the quality, crown spread and the location of any existing indigenous trees, mature specimen trees and established hedgerows on site. Where possible these elements are to be retained. Access should be taken from existing lanes where possible. Entrances and driveways should be located to, where possible, follow existing contour lines, crossing them harmoniously thus integrating the dwelling with its entrance and site. All applications for planning permission for a house in the countryside should include detailed drawings and specifications for entrance and boundary wall treatments. Gardens: Gardens, trees and hedgerows provide an easy backdrop to the built environment. They greatly enhance the visual amenity and the wild life value of the countryside, and create an easy transition from the natural to a more cultivated, designed landscape. Any proposed landscaping schedule should consider the provision of shelter, privacy and existing field boundaries. Landscaping proposals must be submitted with all planning applications for development to include for native species seen locally in the area, appropriate to site conditions paying particular attention to the boundary treatment. Where possible retain mature and native deciduous trees, established hedgerows and old stone walls. Native deciduous trees add to the amenity value of the immediate area, while providing a natural setting and backdrop for a new dwelling in the countryside. Native trees and shrubs include; alder, ash, birch, blackthorn, gorse, hawthorn, hazel, oak, rowan, willow.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 13 Cultural Influence: The character of an area, as well as its natural environment, is defined by its built environment. The grouping of buildings and the nature of the spaces between them include settlement patterns, existing wall steads, vernacular and associated outbuildings, buildings of particular importance such as those recorded as protected structures, designated as monuments or areas of archaeological importance. Refer to Chapter 6 Section 6.3 with regard to potential issues arising in terms of any new development impacting upon the buildings or areas as previously referred to.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 14 Key Principles: Select your site and locate the house to integrate sensitively within the landscape minimising any potential negative impact of the building within the countryside. Maximise existing site conditions; where possible the removal of mature trees, specimen trees, established hedgerows or dry stone walls should be avoided. Aspects of solar gain, light and wind shelter should be maximised, using any existing natural backdrop of trees to provide shelter and privacy, additional planting may be necessary to complement the existing vegetation and field boundary on the site. Provide a design solution which considers site specifics drawing from any existing features worthy of consideration on the site. A new house in the countryside should be a positive addition to the rural environment. Site analysis is the key to a well-designed project. The careful and complete analysis of a site and its surrounding context can lead to better development proposals, smoother design implementation, and, ultimately, higher quality built environments.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 15 4.0 DESIGN This guide seeks to encourage innovative design which is well informed, site specific, contemporary in nature and of its time. Analysing the siting of a new building considering topography and orientation, has already to some extent informed the location of rooms within a new dwelling in the countryside. New buildings should respect the rural context within which they sit, and demonstrate an informed use of traditional reference in reaching a site specific and well informed design resolution. Reference is now made to the plan form and component parts of the building. Plan Form The linear plan form is of particular and historic rural reference, considering a narrow plan, modest in scale with a vertical emphasis to the gables. Notwithstanding the above, a deep plan footprint may equally be considered appropriate depending on the opportunities afforded by the site. Details of the site analysis will in part determine the plan form of a dwelling in the countryside. Consider: Where necessary overall massing maybe fragmented into smaller units while reducing the apparent scale of the development . The location of service areas; garages, stores or outbuildings should be considered to provide for an integrated grouping of built form. A linear form often responds well to ground levels, contours and orientation. The building mass should relate proportionally to the site and landscape setting, and therefore relative to its surroundings. Large buildings generally are unlikely to be compatible with a small enclosed site. Consider the scale and proportion of traditional buildings in the countryside to inform a contemporary design resolution. Form, scale, proportion and massing are intrinsically linked and should all be considered carefully, to provide for a sensitive building intervention which sits harmoniously within its environs. Component Parts: The expression of the building layout, in plan and elevation, is informed by the component parts; the roof, windows and doors, materials and details. Simplicity of elevation is a familiar characteristic of rural dwellings and should be carefully considered when dressing the building,
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 16 considering particularly the specifics of local reference that vary from area to area within the county. Openings: Windows and Doors/Porches. The traditional ratio of solid to void should inform the treatment of the elevation. Where porches are proposed they should be closely integrated with the proportion and scale of the building and their materials should relate to the main house. Windows should be given a vertical emphasis and complement the window to wall ratio accordingly. If dormers or roof-lights are used they should always suit the elevation they sit within in terms of scale, detailing and material specification. Wall plate dormers are of particular rural reference. Bay windows should be simple in form, matching the proportion and detailing of the other windows in the house. Large ill-proportioned panes should be avoided. Roof Detail: Chimney, Verge, Ridge, Rainwater Disposal. Chimneys are traditionally visually robust, with a strong vertical contrast to the horizontal plan form and usually located along the ridge. Eaves and verges are usually plain and simple, the flush verge of particular rural reference. The treatment of the roof edges should be carefully considered and relate directly to the rural detailing of the area. The location and frequency of rainwater downpipes are to be carefully considered, a proliferation of rainwater downpipes on the front of houses should be avoided. Depending on the site context a full two storey building may be preferable to a concentration of dormers and rooflights on a storey and a half. Historically a 35-45degree roof pitch provides maximum wind and rain resistance and is of particular rural reference.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2012-2018 Appendix B Building a House in Rural Donegal- A Location Siting and Design Guide Page 17 Material Specification/Finishes If using stone, locally sourced materials should be used. The use of local materials adds to local distinctiveness, responding to the setting within which the building sits and reinforcing a sense of place. Use a restrained palette of material reinforcing the simplicity of elevation. Adopt a holistic approach to the design of the building considering materials and colours at the outset to complement the building design. Colour and texture is a strong feature in the Donegal landscape, this should be reflected in the finishes and material specification of any new building in the countryside. Key Principles The scale and form of a new building will be considered in relation to the surface character of the location; terrain, vegetation cover, topography etc., as well as the size and specifics of the site and its surroundings to determine how easily a new building is likely to integrate within its setting. The overall proportion of solid to void must be carefully considered in the treatment of the elevations. Annex buildings and garages should be subordinate and sited to complement the main dwelling. New buildings in the countryside should respect the rural context, and contemporary design solutions should demonstrate an informed use of traditional reference. A new house in the countryside should be a positive addition to the rural environment. The information in this document encourages a site led approach to designing a house in the countryside and in doing so reinforces a local tradition where the architecture of Donegal is based not on style or typology, but is generated in response to the land and the elements. It is possible to respect and reflect the proportions of our traditional built heritage within the modern context and in doing so create a contemporary architectural legacy for future generations.
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