Home of the Year: See why this tiny-space design scored a perfect 10 and a spot in final
The interior of the compact Dublin family home through to the final on 'Home of the Year'. Pictures: Joe Callion
So delighted is architect Amanda Bone with the compact urban home in Dublin that “there’s no way" she could give it "anything but a 10.”
Owner Jenny Anne Corkery lives in the contemporary new build with her husband and two children and always wanted to create her own A-rated abode — so when this site in South Dublin came up, she jumped at the chance.
The dinky plot calls for a deft plan that features “upside-down" living to make use of a site now subdivided to host two dwellings. The site previously contained a derelict garage structure to the rear of an existing property.
The design won praise from all three judges on ensuring the property is the third through to the final, scoring 27 marks overall. “There's clever design throughout, from the overall form structure and layered to the details and materials,” says Amanda on the RTÉ One show. “It's a privilege to be able to spend time in this home."
Though the residence is mainly orientated north it is filled with light and “what these homeowners have managed to fit on such a tight site” ensures it has “real architectural merit”, she adds.
The two-bedroom infill dwelling uses every corner of the property efficiently and practically. “The reason this home really works is because it is upside down, so the living areas are on the first floor,” says architect and judge Hugh Wallace, who awards the property nine marks.
Amanda praises the homeowners for their “progressive” and “brave” choices. “It’s mainly single-aspect north-facing yet it feels spacious, it feels open, it feels full of light,” she says. “Helped by the position of the roof lights they've managed to create an open plan area with intimate zones.”
She adds: “Everything is in the right place — this is a great example not only of compact living but also how warm contemporary architecture can be, and this is because of the choice of materials and the textures … everything in this home has to work hard because it's so small but when you're in the home it's just seamless.”
The bathroom, where the shape of the staircase and the back wall of the house are visible, demonstrate just how bijou this build is. “You understand the scale of this home … the footprint is absolutely tiny therefore you do have compromises so that's why the staircase is in this position within the bathroom; it's a compact bathroom but it functions,” says Hugh.
Hugh and Siobhan, who gives it a score of eight, occasionally pipe up about planting a pop of colour — particularly Siobhan’s favourite, pink. Amanda objects every time. In the bedroom, she indicates the window: “There’s more than enough colour out there, the planting to the front, the richness of the buildings across the road.”
Pink punctures the peace again in the kitchen as Siobhan and Hugh unite to wax lyrical about its potential in the space.
Amanda rises to the bait: “Look around you, it doesn't need anything else — look at the detail, the playfulness, the material,” she says. “This is clever, this is functioning — and you're trying to add an unnecessary pink!” The homeowners’ favourite space demonstrates the “Irish fetish for egg chairs”, says a delighted Hugh making a beeline for the red-dot spot in the indoor-outdoor space.
“I'm going to sit in there, I love these chairs,” he says. “I am in the centre of Dublin — all I can see is that beautiful tree, sunlight, sunshine, and I'm able to hear the vibe of the city.”
Clive Restan’s former fisherman’s cottage in Wicklow receives a score of 25 from the judges.
It was just a burnt-out shell when he purchased it in 2021.
Clive knew exactly what he wanted from his home — New York Loft meets Irish cottage.
He describes it as “an analogue home in a digital age”.
It was important to him to restore it allowing the true craftmanship of its original construction to shine through and he preserved the history of the building while sourcing unique items to complement the industrial patinated aesthetic, such as rowing oars from the 1850s and lights from an old theatre.
“It needed a lot of time and attention,” he says. “The house is very 150 years old. When I first saw it, it was literally three walls and half a roof and had been empty for 25 years after a fire, but the walls really talked to me, the brickwork, sand tonework. It had to be rescued.
Hugh gives it a seven, with Siobhan and Amanda awarding it nine each.
The Scandi-inspired home of Gemma and Martin Purcell in Co Carlow areceives 25 points also.
Judge Siobhan admires its “light-filled and airy feel”, as well as its smart design choices and clever storage.
Gemma and Martin live in this home, built in 2023, with their three children.
Gemma has a background in design and worked closely with their architect and builder. “For us it was really about capturing views and gorgeous landscapes,” says Gemma.
Gemma was heavily influenced by Scandinavian design as she loves a simple, functional and warm decorating style, which mixes neutral colours, and natural woods.
Martin says: “The end result is fantastic all the design accolades have to go to Gemma.”
An egg chair also stars in this home. “My favourite spot is my egg chair in the sitting room from our location here and we have a really good vantage point of Carlow and beyond. I come here every morning after my breakfast to have a cup of coffee and a few minutes to myself … sometimes the kids come and join me on the egg chair and we have a cuddle in the morning and that's nice too.”
- Home of the Year airs on Tuesdays at 8.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player
