Mayo Rural Housing Design Guidelines

1. Page 11

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   9 2.2 R O A D S E T B A C K & S I T E ENT R A N C E Set Back Boundary Treatment Match adjacent older traditional road boundaries; Walls to be no higher than 1.2 metres. Stone walls to be ‘Dry’ (without visible mortar), of style, stone type and height typical to the older walls of the area. Reuse any stone removed from original walls. Smooth plastered low blockwork walls permitted only if typical to area. Alternatively combine a 600mm stone wall with a hedgerow behind. Replant indigenous (see guidelines) hedgerow behind boundary wall. No obstructions such as utility poles, flower pots, large stones or bollards shall be located within 1.5 metres of the road. Planting generally: Where an original hedgerow has been lost due to the required road set back, a new hedgerow should be replanted behind the new boundary wall. New hedging should consist of indigenous hedgerow species, those seen locally in the area will probably thrive best. Young plants should be spaced approximately 30—45cm apart in 2—3 staggered rows approximately 30—45cm behind the boundary wall. A variety of plant species in your hedge will support a larger variety of wildlife. Indigenous Hedge Species Include: Alder, Blackthorn, Whitethorn, Guilder Rose, Hazel, Spindle, Holly, Privet, Rowan, White Beam, Fuschia. Avoid: - Suburban type garden layouts and plant species such as Leylandii, Grisellinia, Dwarf Conifers, Phormium and Pampas Grass. Trees Again, plant indigenous tree species for shelter and privacy. Indigenous tree species include Ash, Birch, Silver Birch, Blackthorn, Whitethorn, Sycamore, Oak, Mountain Ash, Willow, Holly and Alder. Note: A felling licence is required for the felling or uprooting of most trees. R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

2. Page 12

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   10 3.0 H O U S E F O R M The aim of this guidance is to provide clear recommendations when designing and constructing our homes that they may offer modern, sustainable and pleasant solutions that sit within our landscape, whilst respecting traditions & lessons of the past. R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

3. Page 13

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   11 3.1 H O U S E F O R M Design your house to: Reduce its visible volume in the landscape i.e. Break into several smaller forms rather than one large form. Reflect scale, form and proportioning of older traditional vernacular architecture of the immediate area. Maximise on solar heat and light gain to the main living areas by facing them southwards. Create sheltered private external spaces. Maintain limited simple windows on the North Elevation & larger openings to the South. Compose composition around courtyard. Avoid: Large span roofs i.e. greater than 8 metres. Large single volume building forms. NOTE THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE HIGH QUALITY CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN THAT IS SENSITIVELY SITED, SCALED AND DETAILED. Figure 12 Figure 13 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

4. Page 14

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   12 3.2 H O U S E F O R M Irish Vernacular The traditional Irish Vernacular house or cottage was normally one room deep. If a building becomes more than 2 rooms deep, the roof span is consequently doubled or tripled in size and the apex is raised substantially. This increases the visible volume of the building dramatically, making the house very imposing on the landscape. It is acknowledged that dwellings today provide dramatically more accommodation than they did in the past. However, with careful architectural design, it is possible to retain the traditional scale and proportions of our traditional built heritage within the modern context. Traditional building forms were normally generated with roof pitches between 35 & 45 degrees providing the maximum wind and rain resistance. For both functional and aesthetic reasons, roof pitches should be within this range. Consider the examples opposite. The dormer house with deep roof span, high ridge and low eaves forms a top heavy and disproportionate composition as compared to the alternative – 1.5 storey house, L-shaped in plan and one room deep. Figure 14 Figure15 Figure 16 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

5. Page 15

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   13 3.2 H O U S E F O R M Contemporary Architectural Design High quality ‘contemporary’ style house design is encouraged on suitable sites. Indeed it is important to create a contemporary architectural legacy for future generations. It is advisable to employ the services of an experienced qualified Architect . Good design will result from: • Simplicty of Forms • Natural Finishes that blend with the local landscape • Careful detailing. • Reduction of visible scale. Siting, scale , proportioning , materials, finishes and landscaping should all be considered carefully with a view to blending the house harmoniously into the natural landscape. Materials and detailing should be such to ensure a long lasting quality of finish and resist unnecessary weathering. R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL A low flat roofed house, if carefully designed, and finished using natural materials such as wood and stone, will have a very low visual impact on the landscape and may allow for a more prominent setting. Note a vegetation planted roof finish would be possible here, this would have an insulating effect. A low pitched copper or zinc roof with extended eaves, combined again with natural materials and glass create a low impact design. Note the horizontal emphasis and planting. A modern styled traditionally proportioned house, combined with visually separated lower level extensions, allows for a suitably scaled building with a large floor area.

6. Page 16

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   14 3.3 H O U S E F O R M The ‘Narrow Plan’ In addition to the pleasing aesthetic proportions this option can provide, the narrow plan form can provide other significant advantages. With the correct orientation, and windows located appropriately i.e. large windows to the South, small windows to the North, a narrow plan form will be rewarded with beneficial passive solar heat gain. This simple measure can ensure that all major rooms can enjoy a bright, pleasant and warm atmosphere whilst significantly reducing heat & energy costs. Optimum depth – 6 to 7 metres. Avoid: Deep plan – benefit of solar gain reduced. Figure 17 Figure 18 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

7. Page 17

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   15 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL 4.0 H O U S E C O N S T R U C T I O N & D E T A I L The aim of this guidance is to provide clear recommendations when designing and constructing our homes, to avoid alien & unsympathetic design details within the context of a Rural setting. NOTE THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE HIGH QUALITY CONTEMPORARY ARCHITEC- TURAL DESIGN

8. Page 18

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   16 4.1 H O U S E C O N S T R U C T I O N & D E T A I L ‘Porches’ The design of an entrance ‘Porch’ should be of solid construction and reflect the character, detail and proportion of the existing or proposed house. Avoid: Neo-classical, pedimented porches with mock Greek columns and lightweight flat roof construction finished with P.V.C Figure 19 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

9. Page 19

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   17 4.2 H O U S E C O N S T R U C T I O N & D E T A I L ‘Doors’ The traditional hardwood door is always the most elegant and can be easily adapted/altered to suit the modern context. Two varieties exist: •The ‘vertically sheeted’ door. •The panelled door consisting of 4 or 6 panels. A glazed panel can be easily incorporated. All doors with side-lights should ideally be symmetrical and of simple design. Glass block or sand blasted glass could be used as a modern addition. Avoid: •Elaborate / ornate doors •Asymmetry and patterned glass. •PVC and aluminium doors. Figure 20 R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

10. Page 20

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    18 4.3 H O U S E C O N S T R U C T I O N & D E T A I L ‘Windows’ The ‘Golden Section’ – ratios of height to width (2- 1,3-2,5-3,8-5,13-8) have always been considered to be universally pleasing to the eye. They have been used unconsciously in traditional building and can be seen in all the older cottages and houses throughout Ireland. These proportions are considered harmonious with nature. Large wide horizontal openings are deemed the single most common fault in badly designed houses in the Country. Simple design and vertical proportioning is the key to success. Traditional windows still work well in the modern context. Alternatively, modern examples with a vertical emphasis are acceptable. Avoid: •Wide horizontal windows •Elaborate and excessive subdivision e.g. ‘Georgian’ style. Bay Windows Bay Windows should be simple in form, geometric and symmetrical. Roof finish, pitch and detailing should match that of house roof. Windows should match style and proportioning of the other house windows. Large badly proportioned panes should be avoided.. Form: generally in a traditional style house, the overall bay window form should be substantial. Rendered block piers generally look more suitable than lightweight steel or timber piers Avoid a bay window structure out of character with the rest of the house. R U R A L H O U S I N G D E S I G N G U I D E - L I N E S MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL

Source Mayo County Council: Mayo Rural Housing Design Guidelines (2008) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.