Kinnegad is at the point where the main cross-country roads to the west and northwest diverge. Now populated by many who commute to Dublin, our brief was to a design a place for living that would preserve the rural character of the site, attain a higher site density than usual for the area and to incorporate sustainable construction. The scheme provides for 88 homes, with a mixture of single, two and three storey heights. By providing a circulation route around the perimeter of the site, the existing hedgerows are retained, and a connection is made into a walking route connecting to the village. Sustainable elements include the use of natural lime renders and mortar, a first for a housing scheme in Ireland.
After construction commenced, a burial ground dating from approximately 800AD was discovered on the site. Construction continued in areas unaffected by the finds while the archaeological digs continued. The location of the burial ground made it impossible to continue with the original scheme and only the first two phases of fifty eight homes were completed. A new scheme has been devised for the area around the burial ground that will incorporate it into a semi-circular village green. New terraces of thirty homes will address the new green, respecting the past but also providing for the housing needs of the locality.
our brief was to a design a place for living that would preserve the rural character of the site, attain a higher site density than usual for the area and to incorporate sustainable construction
