Ice House Design/Architect
DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS
Smith and Kennedy Architects have been at the forefront of contemporary residential architecture for many years and their client list is extensive including Eddie Jordan for whom we are completing a project at Wentworth in the UK, and Eddie Irvine whose house in Dalkey we completed a few years ago. They are currently working on a top end Hotel, Spa and Villa project in Marrakech and a number of other unique hotels in Morrocco.
SKA PROFILE
Smith and Kennedy Architects is a well established Irish practice, based in Dublin and is entirely dedicated to the provision of Architectural services with emphasis on high quality contemporary design and professional service. The scope of their services includes full Architectural service from sketch scheme to contract administration, interior design, concept development and feasibility studies.
A medium sized practice, they have a committed and talented team with a broad range of abilities who have a proven track record. They are experienced in leading multi disciplined teams in complex design projects and in working closely with client bodies and we carry full Professional Indemnity Insurance. The firm is fully computerized using Autocad as the primary drawing software and we have an advanced system of controls in terms of technical and administrative procedures. Their main office is in Dun Laoghaire with associated offices in Cork and Spain. They are a founding member of FORM, an international collaborative association of practices from Ireland, Spain, the UK, Morocco, Canada, Tenerife and Poland.
With projects based across Ireland and internationally, their experience is diverse and recent and current projects include:
Private Residential. The have worked on some spectacular sites on which they have designed private houses; they are currently working on two houses in Dalkey/ Killiney and one on the north coast of Clare. Clients for whom they have worked include, Eddie Jordan whose house in Spain they designed and extended and whose house in Wentworth in the UK we are just completing and Eddie Irvine whose house they completed a few years ago.
Education. SKA have been at the forefront of educational design in Ireland since for decades. They have several school projects under construction at present, including the new buildings for Castlepark School in South Dublin, and have several more at planning stage including the rebuilding of Newpark Comprehensive in Blackrock, Co Dublin. They also carry out specialist technical work for the Department of Education and Science.
Apartments. They designed the Coliemore Apartment scheme in Dalkey, a scheme of 18 high end apartments on the site of the Dalkey Island Hotel. At present They are involved in apartment schemes in Clontarf and Brennanstown Road.
Hotel / Leisure. They designed a major Hotel, Golf and Residential scheme for a 500 acre site at Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork for which stage 1 planning permission has been received and are hoping for a decision to proceed in 2008. They have also designed a number of Spas including Dunboyne Castle, Mt Wolseley and Mt Hybla. Currently they are working as lead Architects on a very interesting Hotel, Spa and Residential group of projects in Morocco. The Hotel / Spa will be at the highest end of the market but with emphasis on nature and sustainability as well as service, design and luxury. The villas are up to 17,000 sq feet in floor area and one of the sites will accommodate a training academy. Construction is due to start in 2008.
Community/ Arts. They have designed a number of Church and community buildings over the years. In 2007 they won a limited design competition for a new Theatre on the outskirts of Dublin details of which are due to be announced shortly. The scheme involves the use of ETFE as an outer skin.
Healthcare. They have been involved in a number of private and public healthcare projects including Lowell House and St Monica’s Nursing Home in Dublin. They were concept architects for the Touchtone project which is rolling out several private primary care centres around the country.
Commercial. They have designed office buildings and office fit-outs for clients such as DDFH&B advertising agency. They were architects for television post production facilities in three buildings in Merrion Square for The Picture Company and have designed a number of retail projects. They also designed the new centre for the DSPCA in the Dublin Mountains.
THE ICE HOUSE DESIGN CONCEPT
The Ice House project comprised a three storey 19th century building with contemporary additions all accommodating a boutique hotel and Spa.
As is good practice, there is a clear distinction between what is old and what is new and where the new buildings join with the old, transparent glazed structures are used as the interface to allow the original building remain as an identifiable entity.
There are also two distinct interior design styles in the original house an eclectic mix of decoration and furnishing is used as would have been common over the period of the house’s existing. This reflects the nature of the original building and its heritage. The contemporary interiors are more neutral with generally simple off-white walls, natural timber and dark neutrals. The emphasis is being directed toward the view from the picture windows.
Art plays an important role in the interiors of the building. Three well known artists have been commissioned to create artworks for the three main public areas. These will be complimented by other pieces of similar quality throughout. A guide to the artworks will be available to visitors to enhance this appreciation of the paintings. The three principal artists are Charles Tyrrell, Martin Gale and John Devlin.
