The Longacres House designed by Damien Murtagh Architects is located in Dublin, Ireland and was created according to the owner’s wish of having rural, coastal and environmental influences.
A private courtyard was conceived as a result of the connection between a two story spine with two perpendicular arms. In order to take full advantage of the landscape, the architects decided to accessorize the residence with huge windows that also permit the light to enter all the corners of the house.
Only the finest materials were used to build it and were chosen carefully to cope with weather conditions and time: exterior dry stone walls, patina copper, slabs of travertine and cedar cladding. Because nowadays every penny counts, the home also provides geothermal heating, photovoltaic solar panels and a heat recovery system.
The integration of geothermal and solar systems is fascinating. How did the patina copper and travertine hold up against the coastal elements over time? I’m curious about the long-term maintenance costs versus the energy savings.
Thank you for your interest! The patina copper and travertine are highly durable in coastal climates, requiring minimal upkeep. While initial material costs are higher, the long-term maintenance savings combined with significant energy efficiency from the geothermal and solar systems make them a sustainable, cost-effective choice over time.