Before clients begin the road of having us design, plan, and then progress to tendering, and construction managing projects, I have often been asked – “how do you work?”. Each project requires its own tailored approach, but I hope these short, easy to watch videos give you some sense of the quality of architecture, best practice thinking that I bring to every architecture and planning project. Feel free to drop me a line in the comments box.
Giving this cottage views hidden for 250 years!
Working with our clients family to respectfully and inventively bring new life to this 250 year old cottage. Around the cottage were the most stunning untapped views of Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick mountain (The Reek). The design brings together the client aspirations, the integrity of the original cottage, upgrading to modern comfort and performance, and being open to reading the site and its natural environment – and making the architecture respond to this.
Commercial unit doubled in size and capacity
Our client needed to expand this facility with a within a restricted plot. We felt we could introduce them to international examples, works by architects that would raise the possibilities – where parts or materials would have two or more functions not one. We are excited by the architectural proposal that has emerged.
Attic Extension Architecture
This was an exciting chance to re-interpret how attic conversions and extensions can be achieved in a typical mid-century Dublin housing estate. Breaking down the limitations and opportunities within an existing building – and then being open to read where the possibilities can lead to architectural interventions. The result is a new extension form, having a presence without being overstated. Delivering for modern family life.
underStanding Stones – ancient tools for today
Considering the interplay of architect, engineer, planner in steering our buildings, towns and cities to a sustainable future. underStanding Stones, inspired by ancient Neolithic architecture and our common need for insightful guidance, now, as in the past
Planning Permission on a Difficult Site
We are often asked about contemporary architectural forms – are they practical for design and permits, to build, to spend time in? I wanted to have the story of this contemporary architectural home easy to view in a 2 minute movie reel, so new clients have that insight to just why does something look the way it does.
Replace Derelict Dwelling with a New House
Replacing the old falling down house on the side of a hill – we could give our client a variety of sketch ideas of how to re-think and optimise the new living spaces. Giving natural light and views a high priority, we designed the sleeping quarters hunkered into the hill at the lower level, while the reception and open plan and living spaces sit atop taking in breathtaking views and natural light.
Choosing to Re-use rather than Replace
Helping our clients to decide can we re-use the existing structure, thereby reducing the embodied carbon footprint – or demolish and replace with an all new building. This video takes us through the design ideas that were key to making the carbon conscious decisions. We also look at the balance sheet of issues that needed to be considered.
Pods – Micro Homes for Walkable Compact City
These are loose sketches for a city centre site that has restrictions on building height and potential window overlooking. The objective for the client and city is to explore options to increase density and residential units in ways that support community and the viability of the city centre.
Architectural Services
“People come to me to buy surprise … but when people come to me to buy surprise, the funny thing is, that I dont know what I am going to give them either!” (Peter Rice – Engineer). For you the private client, or commercial developers, Declan Commons BA Hons MSc, Senior Architectural Consultant at PW, will meet your expectations to really good architecture, of its time and exceeding its functional expectations. “When an artist starts repeating themselves because they think thats what people want, its all over.” (Thom Yorke – Musician).
Sustainable Design
“If nature is sustainable and beautiful, [why cant] we make things that are sustainable and beautiful?” (Neri Oxman – Designer).Are you in interested in incorporating principles of ‘greening’ or sustainability in your building project? My established relationships with suppliers and experts in various technologies ensures that the correct solution is delivered to your project at competitive costs. Let Planning Workshops experience guide your choices.
Planning & Applications
Your Planning Applications or Appeals benefit significantly from professional preparation and presentation. Planning Workshop deliver high quality negotiation and project management of the planning application process. I have worked for Local Authorities and understand their aspirations and requirements. I can also best represent our private clients by bringing client and local authority requirements to an agreement.
Zoning and Strategic Planning
If you are investing in land or buildings development, Planning Workshop will efficiently investigate and advise on maximising the potential which is often hidden in these assets. Packages are tailored to meet client needs, and optimum development strategies are identified. Services include zoning and development plan submissions to Local Planning Authorities, Development Plans, Local Area Plans etc. on behalf of our clients.
Design/Planning Advice
Planning Workshop was founded by Declan Commons in 2005, continuing an earlier career in the UK and Scandinavia. From my core base in Dublin and NUI Galway, Planning Workshop service clients throughout Ireland. Your project will benefit from professional insight to help you assess how to best move forward – be it a small home remodeling or extension to expert advice on planning regulations or zoning.
Inspire
It is perhaps the most incredible feature of our hunter-gathering ancestors that they left virtually no impact on the world in which they lived – just the odd heap of ashes and stones from a fire, a pile of discarded shellfish on a shore line, or the occasional figure of an animal daubed onto a cave wall. Our ancestors had to be entirely in tune with their natural surroundings, and their decisions to move on were determined by an instinctive knowledge, based on thousands of years of experience. Their calender was written in the behaviour of the wildlife around them. (Ray Mears)
Our Mission Statement
My belief in embracing sustainability, implies responsibilities and new skills sets for architecture, engineering, town planning, and the related professions, and ultimately in community culture. Consciousness is growing in Ireland and around the world – we are coming-round to demanding sustainability in our built environment, and acknowledging that we, as consultants, consumers and producers must all contribute some effort in realising this.
Client View
Declan Commons and Planning Workshop have represented our portfolio over the last 4 years, both in dealing with planning issues with County Councils (portfolio includes 42 hectares of zoned lands), and in designing a total remodeling and extension of a 200 year old town-centre house. He has also acted as advising planning consultant on tricky right of way issues in the High Court. On all accounts, he (Declan), has been excellent to deal with and to represent our interests, and we will continue to seek his advice and input in the future. – Patrick & Christiane Leahy-Coen, Limerick
