Town Lough, Ireland, 2020
The owners of this family home with a terraced garden overlooking lake Killaloe wanted to redesign the landscape around their house. A new outdoor dining area has a new drystone bench as a perimeter which culminates into a combined Pizza oven and Barbecue. The steep slope with new stairs leading up to the house from the front drive will be flanked by a herb garden and trimmed hedges. Towards the back of the side garden a new drystone wall bicycle shed with a green roof will replace the existing wooden shed.
Garden in Dublin, 2019
The back garden of this Georgian terrace house in Dublin is a small oasis of tranquility boxed in by a white walled industrial warehouse. An inconspicuous piece of sculpture placed in a gap of a stone wall, has become a feature and focal point for the garden. In this proposal the garden is left more or less undisturbed. A design was made for a new bespoke Corten steel and wooden table with an integrated plant box to house seasonal flowers. A very fine led light strip build into the surface of the wooden table top points towards the sculpture to enhance the linear character of the garden.
Glenstal Abbey Grounds, Ireland, 2019
Glenstal Abbey was founded in 1927 and over the years expanded from the Norman revival castle and its English landscaped garden into a large cluster of scattered buildings, car parks and sports facilities. Together with ROAD Studio areas were identified where improvements could be made without altering existing structures. At the same time simple rules and low budget proposals were put forward to avoid uncontrolled expansion which could further damage the setting and views to and from the castle. This includes the clearance of excessively planted trees.
A sketch proposal for the new Senior House accommodation terraced into the Glen.
Glenstal Abbey Grounds, restoring the views and landscape, 2019
The intention of this zoning proposal is to find ways to preserve the remnants of the original landscaping which the architect, William Bardwell, and the Barrington family had in mind when the castle was originally build in the early 19th century. With this proposal the necessary growth of school will be under control. At the same time the area in front of the castle is cleared of all the newly planted trees and shrubs. These were planted to hide the modern additions to the castle and the unbridled growth of car parking. This way we intent to regain some of the original vistas towards the lake and other parts of the park which were lost over time.
We propose a clear division of functions and the restoration of the views to the park.
Landscape design for a hotel Vrouwenpolder, 2017
Archihouse assisted Stanley Dymanus of Dymanus architecture with the design for an extension to an existing seaside hotel. The work included a site plan for the garden and carpark.
Church entrance area, Glenstal Abbey, 2014
The exterior of the Abbey Church does not reflect the extraordinary avant garde painted 1970’s post modern ceiling. The entrance to the church is overtaken by parked cars. On leaving the church one is greeted by the uninspiring sight of an electricity sub station. The sketch proposal consists of extending the graphics of the church ceiling beyond the entrance to form a welcoming platform. The car parking space is compensated at the North side of the church. As one approaches the church, a dedication to Saint Columba welcomes the visitor which covers the electricity sub station.
Gardeners yard, 2014
Maarten Franken has become a specialist in the use of Corten steel for his garden designs. He wanted this to be reflected in the promotion of his business. Corten steel was used for both a street sign and a fence separating his yard from the neighbour.
A front garden, 2004
To gain more privacy in the front garden of this typical 1960's terraced house, in 2004, a Corten steel wall was placed close to the pavement. This Corten wall which houses a lamp also doubles as a support for a table. During the winter period the foliage of the Hornbeam shrub changes to a rusty colour and in turn absorbs the boxy appearance of the Corten steel wall.
Salvaged logs from a nearby shipyard were used to for parking bicycles.
