IDI Awards 2014

We at Kingston Lafferty Design are thrilled to announce that we are short-listed for 2x IDI awards this year. We are short listed in both the residential category and the retail category. We can’t wait to celebrate in style in the Marker Hotel on the 20th of November…. fingers crossed it all goes well!

The project that is shortlisted in the residential category is the large Residential project we recently finished in Mount Pleasant Square, Ranelagh. This project is titled Ranelagh Residence.

Structurally unsound, conservation protected with highly restricted access, the development of this mid terrace, Georgian Town house remains our most challenging project to date. Located on a quiet square in one of Dublin’s most sought after residential postcodes, this 18th century , 2 storey over basement property was in a dilapidated condition. The property had been neglected for a number of years, which subsequently proved detrimental to the properties structural integrity. Extensive structural works were required to support both the existing and proposed structures and to retain the neighbouring properties. Although the property has a generous floor area, the existing layout and rear garden were negatively impacting the usability of the space. The main objective of the design was to maximise the space available and direct as much natural light as possible into the existing property.

The entire basement floor level was reduced to improve floor to ceiling height and the rear garden was extensively excavated to allow for the construction of a large conservatory extension. A tiered garden was designed to increase the quality of natural light entering the basement level. The linear forms and raw materials create a contemporary space which juxtaposes beautifully within the period features of the original property and the traditional style conservatory.The project short-listed in the Retail category was Renova Flagship Showroom.Info about the project: Renova is  a deep retrofit company, established by long term business partners, John Martin and Alan Stevens. Having previously worked with KLD on a residential development, Quantity Surveyor John Martin, approached our design firm to design the new company’s showroom. The brief was to create a space which would successfully portray the company’s services whilst providing a practical working environment for its employees.

The main design objective was to ensure that the spatial and technical information was showcased in a way that would be intimidating, relevant and clear to the average home owner (the target market). The clean geometric spatial plan divided up the space into three sections, with the reception, meetings room and office running the full length on the right hand side, the showroom to the front and the technical information to the rear. The finishes were kept raw yet sharp and professional. The dark grey timber floor contrasts beautifully against the white plastered walls, reinforcing the geometry of the plan. The exposed concrete ceiling mirrors the circulation path, drawing the eye further into the space. The finishes within the show home were carefully considered to ensure the design was individual and current yet inclusive and achievable. The design also included a considerable amount of bespoke joinery, including a walk-in-wardrobe, an island unit, reception and meeting room storage and a media and log storage system for the living room.

 
 
Paris Design Week 2014

Looking for some design inspiration, some of us from KLD headed over to Paris Design week this year to soak in as much creativity as we could… and we found a great deal of inspiration, even from the unlikliest places! It really showed me that a lot of our Dublin bar and restaurant interiors are strongly influenced by Paris interior design. Everywhere seems to ooze style and attention to detail. In fact a good few places reminded us of some of Dublins coolest venues!

We visited a lot of great places including shops, bars, cafes and of course Maison et Objet, which sure is big and trundled home with heads bursting with ideas… job well done! We will certainly be venturing back in the not too distant future…

Furniture design ideas from Merci
Braving the Maison et Objet exhibition
Original metro tiles with corner angles and joints