About The House (s2/e2)

Linda, Richie and their three-year old son have recently moved back from the states to Co. Waterford to build their dream home, a straw bale house! Whilst living in San Francisco they both gained valuable experience working on straw bale houses. For four years they’ve been planning their own straw bale home. An architect in the states helped them with the initial design, but they felt they needed to consult with an Irish architect here to incorporate Irish building standards and regulations into their design.

Duncan Stewart visits Linda and Richie on their site in Waterford. The excavation has been done on the site but they have yet to break soil. They take Duncan through their plans and the reasons they’ve decided to go with a straw bale build. Building with straw bale will bring superb warmth and insulation to their home. The straw is grown locally so is an environmentally friendly building material plus it will add to the overall aesthetic of the house. Linda and Richie had to build a separate pump house for the electricity supply. In order to match their new home with the pump house, they have covered the concrete wall with the materials they will be using to cover the house – earth, straw, sand and a limewash. They have also put a grass roof on the pump house and sewn alpine strawberries! Our next visit to them should show exciting progression as their post and beam structure is assembled and the baling begins.

Programme # 1
8.30pm TX RTE 1 25th September 01

Catherine and Eugene bought their site on the banks of the River Bride in Lismore just over five years ago. After careful planning, research and detailed correspondence with their UK based Architect (David Treadway) they have decided to begin the build of their dream home. Catherine, Eugene and their eight year old son Osal, have left the hustle and bustle of Dublin city life behind them for a home in the stunning environs of the south east, a move they are all excited about!

On this our first visit to Lismore, we meet Catherine and Eugene who walk us through the footprint of their house. They tell us how they sourced their English architect (David Treadway) through an English Self Build magazine. David faxed them drawings and they’d fax back adjustments or suggestions, a system that worked most efficiently for both parties. Lismore benefits from having a warm macro-climate, which Catherine and Eugene plan to maximise on, they have incorporated solar collectors into the design of their house, harnessing as much solar power as possible. Indeed the whole design of the house will make it aesthetically pleasing, extremely energy efficient and quite environmentally friendly. Foundations have been poured and a radon resistant membrane has been laid, as their house is a new build. Talking on radon, Duncan informs us that 10% of lung cancer in Ireland is related to radon gases in our homes. Duncan discusses radon home detectors and how they can be installed to measure the radon levels in our homes. Our next visit will show exciting developments as their timber frame structure is erected.

Programme # 2
8.30pm TX RTE 1 2nd October 01

Linda, Richie and their three-year old son have recently moved back from the states to Co. Waterford to build their dream home – a straw bale house! Whilst living in San Francisco they both gained valuable experience working on straw bale houses. For four years they’ve been planning their own straw bale home. An architect in the states helped them with the initial design, but they felt they needed to consult with an Irish architect here to incorporate Irish building standards and regulations into their design.

Duncan Stewart visits Linda and Richie on their site in Waterford. The excavation has been done on the site but they have yet to break soil. They take Duncan through their plans and the reasons they’ve decided to go with a straw bale build. Building with straw bale will bring superb warmth and insulation to their home. The straw is grown locally so is an environmentally friendly building material plus it will add to the overall aesthetic of the house. Linda and Richie had to build a separate pump house for the electricity supply. In order to match their new home with the pump house, they have covered the concrete wall with the materials they will be using to cover the house – earth, straw, sand and a limewash. They have also put a grass roof on the pump house and sewn alpine strawberries! Our next visit to them should show exciting progression as their post and beam structure is assembled and the baling begins.

Programme # 3
8.30pm TX RTE 1 9th October 01

Valerie and Rob and their two daughters have recently moved to their new home – a two hundred year old farmhouse near Newtownards. They both loved the house as soon as they saw it, especially the various features that gave it that country cottage feel. The house was originally a two roomed cottage, in 1949 another storey and kitchen were added on. As Valeries’ parents are coming to live with them, they decided they needed to extend and incorporate a granny flat into the build. In order to realise their design, Valerie and Rob enlisted the help of architect Brian Jeffers. Brian designed a 1700sq ft extension (including the granny flat) with the central feature being a large communal kitchen with a cathedral roof. In order to retain the cottage characteristics, the design includes a built-in thick inner skin for the house and splayed jams at the windows.

When Duncan pays his first visit to Valerie and Rob, foundations have been poured and block-work has commenced up to first floor level. Valerie describes to Duncan how she will incorporate her parents’ needs by keeping their large bedroom and bathroom on ground floor level. In their existing house, Rob explains how the design will actually change the aspect of their house so they will have more access and visibility to their yard and out houses. Duncan advises them to insulate their roof well in the communal kitchen with the high cathedral roof to protect against down-drafts. Valerie, Rob and their daughters plan to move into two mobile homes on site for the duration of the build. In our next visit we should see some exciting changes.

Programme # 4
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 16th October 01

Duncan Stewart pays his second visit to Catherine and Eugene on their riverside site in Lismore. Work is well under way on their ecologically designed house. Before heading down to the site, Duncan chats with Eugene and Christy O’Donovan from the Forest Service, in Catherine and Eugene’s broadleaf plantation. Christy explains the reasons so many people are now opting for opting for broad leaf trees i.e. ash, oak, beech, horse chestnut. There is long-term commercial gain, they enhance the landscape and add diversity to it and it’s a proper use of land. The incentives for planting broad leaves include quite generous grants and premiums even more than what’s available for planting conifers.

On Catherine and Eugene’s’ site, their timber frame structure is being assembled. Catherine gives Duncan their reasoning behind using a timber frame structure. The timber is a sustainable material and as the studs are 9”, they will add substantially to the thermal efficiency of the house. The joists are being slotted in for the first floor and the gable end on the eastern end of the house is being completed.

Pat Kiersey (Catherine and Eugene’s builder) chats to Duncan about why they are carrying out much of the work on the timber frame structure on site. As the studs are 9 inches wide and the house is a storey and a half, it is easier to complete the timber structure on site. Preliminary preparation took two weeks in the workshop and then Pat estimates that it will take a total of three weeks work on site.

Finally Duncan finds out a little about stonewalling. Catherine and Eugene have taken a course in dry stonewalling and are building a dry stonewall semi-circumferencing their site. Catherine loves the aesthetics of it, it’s traditional, there’s no mortar involved and as it’s working as a bank to their site, it’s perfect for drainage. As they plan to stone face the bottom half of their house the stonewall will harmonise the house with the landscape.

On our next visit Duncan will be looking at Catherine and Eugene’s innovative approaches to heating, insulation and waste-water treatment.

Programme # 5
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 23rd October 01

Duncan Stewart pays his second to Linda and Richie in Waterford where work is well underway on their straw bale house. As they worked in the straw bale construction industry in the United States, Linda and Richie both have plenty of hands on experience. They intend using their new home as a showcase to promote straw bale technology here in Ireland. They are both busy bedding straw bales when Duncan meets them.

Richie explains to Duncan how they bed the bales in clay from the site, mixed with sand, which works effectively as a binder and is extremely rigid when dry. The straw for the bales has been grown locally and baled densely together for extra strength. The thickness of the bales will insulate the house superbly and add to the overall aesthetic of it.

Inside, Richie highlights the post and beam structure of the house – most of the wood used is Douglas fir – a popular choice for straw bale houses in the States also. The detailed joinery is commendable and the structure is sound and fire resistant. Brendan Smith from Titan Pollution Control is on site to chat to Linda and Duncan about the rainwater recovery system Linda and Richie will be installing. Brendan explains how an underground storage tank is installed to collect the rain. A pump and control unit manages the flow of the water which can be used in the washing machine, toilets, for watering the garden, washing the car.

The walls have really begun to take shape at the gable end of the house. Linda talks to Duncan about the satisfaction and enjoyment herself and Richie get from building their own home!

Programme # 6
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 30th October 01

The last time we were down with Catherine & Eugene in Lismore their timber frame structure was well underway so we were looking forward to seeing the progress. Duncan is shown around the site where the family are thrilled with the advances made. They have a real sense of satisfaction at being able to get the feel for the size and shapes of the rooms. Eugene talks Duncan through the logic behind getting pre-windows from their supplier as it means there are no delays for the builders and they windows can get slotted in upon their arrival.

Eugene & Catherine want their home to be environmentally friendly in every respect and this is borne out by their choice of insulation, they’ve selected Cellulose, which is a very interesting substance – recycled newspaper. We see the benefits of it and Eugene demonstrates it fire resistant qualities.

Outside we catch up with Osal, Catherine & Eugene’s son, who shows us the area where the heat pump system is being laid. Simon Kennedy is on site explaining the mechanisms behind the system. In keeping with their green choices they have also chosen a waste water treatment plant which will benefit their surroundings.

We see Duncan & Eugene in the living room, which the roofing has begun on, and share their wonderful views as they contemplate the future evenings spent relaxing in their near complete home.

Programme # 7
8.30pm TX RTE 1 6th November 01

Denis and Carolina are restoring and renovating an eighteenth century Georgian house with the help of Dublin Corporation. When Duncan pays his third visit to Heytesbury St., he finds the roof completed, re-slated with original Blue Bangor Slates and the interior demolition has commenced! Gerry Egan (Carolina and Denis’ building contractor) chats to Duncan about taking down the back wall of the house – upstairs. They hope to salvage the original red bricks and re-use them when they are re-building the chimneybreast. Out in the back garden Tony Gough (builder) discusses the reasoning behind having double bay scaffolding with Duncan. As they are in the process of demolishing the back wall, there is a lot of excess debris which can easily be temporarily shelved on the second bay of the scaffolding.

Inside the house the diving wall between the front and back rooms has been knocked. The original fitted kitchen has been removed and a stud partition erected. Eddie Farrell from Protim assesses the problem with rising damp in the downstairs rooms of the house with Duncan. The original polyurethane membrane, which was on the wall wasn’t helping the situation. On taking a moisture reading, Eddie reveals how saturated the wall actually is. To stop moisture build up at source, a silicone chemical is injected into the base of the wall. Upstairs Duncan finds a similar situation. The kitchen wall connected to the neighbouring house is also extremely damp. Duncan’s advice is to strip the plasterboard and let the timber dry out for about two to three weeks. Eddie also advises sterilising the naked surface.

Our next visit to Heytesbury St, should reveal some exciting developments.

For more information on Denis and Carolina’s renovation………..

Programme # 8
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 13th November 01

Valerie and Rob are extending an old farmhouse near Newtownards Co. Down. Their extension includes a self-contained apartment for Valerie’s parents.

When Duncan pays his third visit to Newtownards the centrepiece of the house, the two-storey farmhouse kitchen with the open gallery has really begun to take shape. The staircase to the gallery is in. The interior walls have been plastered in such a way that they have a soft undulating look to them – keeping with the style of the original farmhouse. The original existing walls of the house are over hundred years old so are traditionally quite thick. Valerie is in the process of fitting door-frames and invites Duncan to come down to Haldane Fisher to have a look at suitable doors.

The doors that Valerie is interested in purchasing are Finnish Baltic red wood (scotts pine), laminated and also 2ft 9inches wide, wider than the average door. The benefits of having wider door-frames being of course that they are much more wheelchair accessible if need be.

Back at the house, the exterior extension walls are being pebble dashed in order to match the existing farmhouse walls. Upstairs the tilers are busy working in the main bathroom. Valerie and Rob have chosen large white tiles bordered with beige bevelled edged tiles and a decorative horizontal band of mosaic tiles. The mosaic tiles come on a backing sheet, which makes them more convenient to fit.

Wallace (Valerie and Robs builder) is putting a cement screed on the floor in Valerie’s parents’ apartment. A concrete floor has already been laid with insulation underneath. Valerie wants the apartment ground floor to be completely level with the rest of the house for accessibility for her parents. The kitchen is being tiled with a thick durable stone tile, thus the layer of screed in the apartment needs to be half an inch thick – in order to match the level with the kitchen.

A joiner is on site fitting skirting boards and architraves all scotts pine, the same material as the doors. In our next and final visit to Newtownards the farmhouse extension should be almost complete!

Programme # 9
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 20th November 01

This week Duncan takes a look at the issue of farm safety.

Our homes are meant to be safe places to live, but a home set in and around a farm can be quite a dangerous place. Over 600,000 Irish people live and work on farms and in the past 11 years 63 children have been killed. JD Leahy farms 110 acres in Co. Waterford. JD is a full time farmer and his wife Bernie has a part time job away from the farm. But with a help of their child minder they keep close eye on their five children aged from seventeen to one and a half. Still the Leahy’s are looking for ways to make their farm safer for their children. Duncan pays a visit to the Leahy’s farm with Aidan McTiernan from the Health and Safety Authority.

Aidan and Duncan take a walk around the farm with JD. Aidan has identified a number of potential hazards for the children, such as slurry tanks, tractors and machinery, stacked bales and silage pits. As the farm is in such close proximity to the dwelling house, there is a temptation for children to wander out onto the farm at a possible time when there are dangerous operations going on. Aidan believes that the farm can be made substantially safer with the provision of a safe play area.

In JD’s elevated back garden (beside the farm) Duncan and Aidan discuss the actions JD could take to make the garden a more protected and safer space for the children to play in. Aidan stresses the importance of the children being able to watch the activities on the farm, so as they do not feel completely detached from it, but are safe from danger. Duncan suggests putting up trellis fence around the circumference of the garden about 6ft high. It would prevent the children from getting out but the fence would be separated so that they could see through it onto the farm. Duncan leaves the farm and returns later in the programme to see what changes JD has made.

Programme # 10
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 27th November 01

This week Duncan pays his second visit to Denis and Carolina in Heytesbury St. where they are extending and restoring a small Georgian house. In addition to meeting the needs of their young family they want to blend elements of old and new into their home. There are dramatic changes since our last visit, however Carolina is disappointed that the progress has been so slow and she is finding the whole process quite stressful.

In the back garden, the exterior of the glazed extension and new playroom are complete. Denis tells Duncan that it was a condition of the planning permission that they recycle the old red brick from the gable end of the house and incorporate it into the renovation. Carolina is satisfied that their main objective has been achieved in introducing more light into the house.

Upstairs, the kitchen is being installed. The McNally kitchen crew are using a precision laser guided system to ensure that every thing is level and true.

A few weeks ago some interesting developments were taking place. Ken Thomson installed a novel damp proofing system. Duncan dropped in to have a look. The bathroom where the system was installed is located in the vaulted cellar under the main entrance steps to the house. It was a very damp space, with dampness coming in through the walls and the ceiling. Ken had to build a separate structure in the space almost like a tent. A heavy polythene membrane was put up round the walls and ceiling. Next a frame of 3” by 2” timbers was erected and then a layer of standard plasterboard was put on. The system is an innovative and effective solution to the prevention of damp in older period buildings.

Down the hallway the second bathroom is being fitted. Denis and Carolina have decided to fit a dual flush toilet system from Geberit to conserve water. The system has the potential to save a quarter of the daily quota of water used in a house. Another advantage of the system is that it conceals all the standard exposed pipe work.

The painters are now busy stripping the layers of old paint off the walls and balustrades. Carolina and Denis have decided to paint the majority of walls in the house white.

Upstairs Duncan chats to Charlie O’Kane who is plumbing in an Ariston invented hot water cylinder and a condensing boiler. This particular heating system doesn’t require any expansion tanks, storage tanks or loft plumbing, so there’s no need for a tank in the attic. The condensing boiler is essentially a traditional gas boiler, with the difference being the exhaust gas from the burner is recycled over the heat exchanger. This retains a lot of the heat that would traditionally be lost through the flu, increasing the efficiency of the boiler and reducing the running cost. On average there is a saving of 30% with the Ariston system over a standard gas boiler.

Carolina is looking forward to finally moving in two weeks time.

Programme # 11
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 4th December 01

Catherine and Eugene are building a timber frame house on a fantastic site overlooking the river Blackwater near Lismore Co. Waterford. They’ve been endeavouring to use environmentally friendly and energy efficient materials through all stages of this project.

Duncan catches up on the progress to date. The slating is complete on the roof and the Velux windows have been installed. Inside the underfloor heating has been switched on so the heat can slowly build up before internal joinery begins.

The windows in the ground floor, living / kitchen space have been fitted to maximise the spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Instead of opting for one large window, Catherine and Eugene have decided to install four windows (from ceiling to floor) perfectly framing the view and enhancing the overall aesthetic of the exterior of the house. Duncan chats to Diarmuid Fehily from Loewen Windows. The windows Catherine and Eugene have opted for are Canadian, made with lamenated Douglas fir (interior) and have an aluminium exterior finish, beautiful windows that don’t need to be maintained to the same level as a wooden windows normally would.

Upstairs in the bathroom Duncan chats to Tim Casey who is tanking the shower tray. He talks us through the importance of tanking and taping a shower tray prior to tiling. It prevents any leaking, especially when the tray is being installed on wooden floors (as with this project). He uses an acrylic elastic paint and polyester tape – the Bal WP1 tanking system.

Outside Catherine and Eugene have chosen a local sandstone to clad the house. It is being clad clear of the timber frame and will be 2.7m in height meeting with the with the sweet chestnut timber cladding – which will complete the exterior cladding. Catherine and Osal are busy preparing the timber for with a water soluble Bondex wood stain. They chose this product for its’ non-toxic content. Duncan stresses the importance of applying preparatory coats first as the timber will swell and shrink without this precaution.

In our next and final visit to Lismore, Catherine and Eugene will have started the exciting interior design stage.

Programme # 12
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 11th December 01

Richie and Linda Murphy had worked on straw bale houses in San Francisco and came home back to Waterford determined to use this method of construction even though the technology used in this kind of house would be considered unorthodox here in Ireland. The build has been relatively trouble free and their home is almost ready to move into. Today their furniture has arrived. They are particularly excited by the arrival of a specially commissioned piece wine cabinet designed by furniture maker/designer Noel Whelan.

They also wanted to use environmentally methods of heating and sanitation. They have installed a Titan rainwater collection system and a Bio-Clear waste-water treatment plant augmented by a reed bed. The whole Bio-Clear treatment plant is discreetly installed below the ground with nothing other than an inspection hatch at ground level. This environmentally friendly system avoids the need for a septic tank and fits in well with the whole ecological ethos behind Linda and Richies build.

When Duncan pays his final visit to the Murphy’s, their under-floor heating has been turned on and heat is slowly building up in the house. Outside, Richie chats to Duncan about their Solterra ground sourced heat pump. Low grade heat is collected through a system of plastic pipes containing water (1 – 2 degrees Celsius) with an anti-freeze, which are laid underground. Rainwater flowing through the ground flows over these pipes and exchanges heat. The water in the pipes (now at 5 – 8 degrees Celsius) is then boosted in a heat water pump by an electric compressor to the required temperature (30 – 40 degrees Celsius) for the central heating system. Off peak per kilowatt-hour it will cost about 1p and then on-peak (day time) about 2½p comparing with oil at about 4 or 5p per kilowatt on peak. Richie is satisfied that there’s a cost effective pay back with the system.

Inside, Linda and Richie’s fitted kitchen is complete. They have installed a central island with their hob. On the floor, Duncan is surprised to find out that what look like tiles are not tiles, it’s actually a clever paint effect! In the main living space, the bay window is complete. Up above where the curved ceiling meets the top of the window Linda and Richie have nailed on reed mats as opposed to painting. The structure of the house is complete all that remains to be done now is the finishing interior decoration.

At their large dining table, just under the bay window, Duncan chats to Linda, Richie and their builders Sean and Fergal Walsh about the build. Richie tells Duncan that building with straw is an ecological and energy efficient way to build, but not necessarily a cheaper option. It’s quite labour intensive, but Fergal (builder) believes the value is in the house as the straw bale structure works as superb insulation, thus saving on the overall heating cost in the house. Richies advise to anyone building with straw is to start early in the season and to get the roof on as early as possible to protect the bales when they are assembled. Both Linda and Richie would work on a straw bale build again, but for somebody else, they are very proud and excited about their own home and intend staying there.

Programme # 13
8.30pm TX: RTE 1 – 18th December 01

This is now our final visit to Lismore where the Sutton’s are building their ecological house on the banks of the River Blackwater. Everybody’s working flat out but they’re still a little behind schedule and Catherine & Eugene don’t expect to move in for a few weeks yet.

Duncan catches up with them on the site where things have moved on since our last visit. Their exterior timber cladding has begun, they’re using Spanish Chestnut which can only be fitted after it’s been planed and profiled into a ‘ship-lap’ detail for horizontal cladding which will allow it to fit perfectly. They also chose some beautiful copper drainpipes and gutters which compliment the house wonderfully. The overall harmony of their exterior is now evident between the stone, timber, slate and doors. They’re very happy with how it’s all coming together.

Inside Eugene explains the difficulty in getting the staircase made because of it’s curved feature. Winders are complex and expensive so they don’t want to put it down prematurely in case it gets damaged during the remainder of the work that is left to be completed.

There is a lovely aroma circulating around the house, unusually so it’s the paint. They found a natural organic paint that releases certain scents like Rosemary Oil, Citrus, Eucalyptus, etc. They’re breathable and totally healthy with no pungent smells.

As Catherine & Eugene designed their house with the sitting room upstairs they were hoping to capitalise on the wonderful views. With their balcony now almost complete the views are way past their expectations. They have also realised their ambition to capitalise on their south-facing site by incorporating passive solar features in their design as well as using ecologically sustainable materials in the building. Many elements were not readily available so extra time was spent researching the techniques and sourcing the materials.

They talk to Duncan and explain the difficulties behind co-ordinating and synchronising the various stages of the build. It is very time consuming trying to get everything to slot into place and even more so as they opted for the direct labour approach. It’s a full time job and luckily Catherine was able to take the time from work to dedicate to it. As she is working full time organising the build she can appreciate first hand how rewarding it is to know exactly what the structure is behind their home and knowing that there is no horrors awaiting them.

Overall they are thrilled with how it as all turning out, from the proportions and the dimensions through to the appearance and the feel. They agree that through the use of all the natural materials the house is gaining a true sense of warmth.

We’ve had a great time over the series catching up on the progress with Catherine, Eugene & Osal. The project was wonderful and we know the house will be truly beautiful once it is complete.

In this our last episode of the series we have met up Salah Kawala a Glass Maker based in Rathfarnham, Dublin. He was born in Cairo and spent the first part of his professional life working in the theatre and television. He eventually got fed up with the media and started subsidising his life with interior design. A friend around this time was renovating his house and was looking for some stained glass, Salah volunteered his skills and has not looked back since then.

He started out in the traditional side of the stained glass craft and moved into what’s known as ‘hoch’ (high) glass. This method helps him to form the glass into different shapes and ideas and many different applications.

We meet him is his studio in Rathfarnham where he takes us through the process of creating some of his designs. He’s making a square bowl using both clear and coloured glass. He starts by cutting the panel into strips and then small squares. During the stages he explains to us his love of glass. As a raw material he finds it very interesting, many people consider it to be a very solid substance because of its’ rigidity however scientifically it is called ‘super cool liquid’. To work with it takes experience and possibly, depending on the artist, adventure. Going back to his work, now that he has the coloured squares ready he takes the clear sheet and the mould. He positions the squares on the base and after lining it all up it’s ready for the kiln. During the time in the kiln all the small pieces will fuse into one piece and then gradually slump taking the shape of the mould.

The majority of his work is on a commission basis. He doesn’t have a particular type of client, they range from the offices of public works to private clients who just like glass. He specialises in working to suit the piece to the commission and never makes the same piece twice. Salah tells us how serendipity can occur at any stage, his happy accidents! After putting a piece of glass in the kiln it can, without any explanation, surprise him with a final design he didn’t contemplate. But this can then evolve into some great ideas when he tries to manipulate the outcome of serendipity into a feature of a future design. Salah loves this about glass and it continues to excite and inspire him like no other material can.