Billiam

That book has been really useful, N3, but I’m looking for specific examples of where an attempt has been made to integrate modern housing into a rural context in Ireland, where the vernacular has been interpreted in some way.

The National Spatial strategy talks about the need to consolidate rural towns and villages. If this is to be achieved, how should the design of new housing be approached?

One non-Irish example of an approach to combining new with old is the work of Giancarlo de Carlo in Urbino. To determine the design requirements he makes a rigourous analysis of the existing conditions including the needs of the local community. Has such an approach ever been taken in Ireland?

Is this type of approach suited to Ireland, or maybe something more radical is called for? Perhaps most Irish people have no desire to respect our vernacular past?