Dezeen Magazine

Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.

"Robust and utilitarian" materials define infill home in Dublin by Gró Works

Red brickwork and perforated metal panels bring an industrial feel to this compact infill home in Dublin, which has been completed by Irish architecture studio Gró Works.

Located on Dublin's southern perimeter, the home by Gró Works was designed to reflect both the nearby Victorian redbrick terraces and the more "utilitarian" quality of the backstreet it overlooks.

Exterior view of home by Gró Works
Red brickwork and perforated metal panels define the home's exterior

"The materiality and design language intend to strike a balance between the robust, utilitarian rear lane that it abuts and the ornate neighbouring terraces," explained the studio.

Responding to its location, the organisation of the home was reversed, with bedrooms placed on the darker ground floor and a large living space above to benefit from natural light.

Facade of infill home in Dublin, Ireland.
The home's materiality is reflective of the surrounding area

A door concealed in the ground floor's perforated metal cladding leads directly from the street into a sheltered porch and bin store, allowing entrance to the home proper to be set back.

Once inside, a small entrance area leads to the two bedrooms and a bathroom, with a staircase leading directly up to the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. A workspace has been placed behind a slatted wooden screen.

Two large skylights and an almost full-height window illuminate this space. To the northwest, a small covered balcony overlooks the home's entrance, partially wrapped by vertical metal louvres.

View of kitchen by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
The interior spaces are illuminated by two large skylights

Contrasting the metal ground floor, the upper storey is finished in red brick, with a Flemish brick bond interspersed with vertically laid sections to "add a novel twist".

Internally, the concept of "robust" materials is continued, with the structure's blockwork left exposed and painted white for the walls, complemented by metal window frames and wooden flooring.

"The structural steel frame, blockwork walls and roof timbers are exposed, expressed and celebrated where possible. Joinery pieces, warm oak floors and linings are layered upon this frame to add comfort," explained the studio.

"Custom joinery pieces allow for every corner of the dwelling to be used efficiently and practically," it added.

Interior view of compact infill home by Gró Works
Exposed blockwork features on the interior

Due to space limitations, utility and plant areas are housed in an external forecourt, and the home was granted planning approval without car parking requirements.

"We believe that the project provides a potential prototype for city living where public transport and public amenity are ample," said the studio.

"Given the need for housing provision in all shapes and forms, this may offer one solution for similar urban brownfield developments."

Interior view of home by Gró Works in Dublin
White walls are complemented by metal window frames

Gró Works is based in Ranelagh, Dublin, and is led by Donal Groarke and Ultan Ó Conchubhair.

Other projects in Dublin recently featured on Dezeen include a pastel pink extension to a 1930s home by Courtney McDonnell Studio, and an angular, aluminium-clad writer's hut by Clancy Moore Architects.

The photography is by Fionn McCann.

More images and plans

Ground floor plan of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
First floor plan of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Section AA of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Section BB of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Section CC of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
North elevation of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
West elevation of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
South elevation of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
East elevation of infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.
Compact infill home by Gró Works in Dublin, Ireland.