— Cottage (SAFEHOUSE)

Safehouse Cottage is located in the heart of the Irish countryside on the west coast, perched on a small hill overlooking the surrounding landscape—making it an ideal retreat for members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during a certain period, from which it gets its name. Built in the 18th century, the cottage features thick stone walls and traditional slate roofing.

The extension project consists of a volume based on a square plan. Drawing from existing or pre-existing local architectural elements, the extension continues the main house at its western end with a volume that adopts the traditional form of Irish vernacular architecture. This volume bends at a 90-degree angle to orient itself toward the southern landscape, positioning itself on a pre-existing stone wall where the ruins of an old oven once stood.

The addition is not conceived as a separate attachment, but rather as a deformation of an existing element—namely, the original built volume. The windows contribute to this logic of transformation, their design varying depending on location: small and discreet in the existing building; wide and horizontal in the new part.

Inside, a double-height central hall is placed at the location of the original entrance, echoing vernacular spatial typologies. A low-ceilinged corridor leads to the living area, which benefits from the full height up to the ceiling. A suspended fireplace—visible from the dining room, kitchen, and living space—serves as the focal point around which daily life unfolds.

The two large new windows are imagined as natural tableaux that change with the seasons. Their position—hidden from the entrance courtyard—ensures the residents’ privacy despite their unusual size. This discreet character links the contemporary intervention to the historic protective quality of the cottage.