Bespoke Contemporary New Build, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Set in the scenic countryside of Currahoo just outside Kinsale, this bespoke, architect-designed family residence balances bold contemporary forms with rural sensitivity.

The project navigated strict Cork County Council rural planning guidelines to achieve first-time planning approval on a sensitive site.

Oriented to maximise natural daylight and countryside views while providing shelter from prevailing coastal winds, the home features expansive vaulted living spaces, a bespoke open-plan kitchen, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections. Built to sustainable principles, the house pairs high-performance triple glazing, airtightness and rigourous detailing to achieve an A2 BER rating.

Designs in Progress — New Builds & Planning Approvals Across Kinsale & West Cork

Our studio is currently advancing a diverse pipeline of bespoke new-build residences and complex planning applications across Kinsale, Garrettstown, Dunworley, Coolnagay, and South County Cork. From exposed coastal headlands along the Wild Atlantic Way to sensitive rural sites, each project begins with rigorous site analysis, 3D architectural visualisation, and early feasibility studies to secure Cork County Council planning permission.

Featured Current Commissions

Garrettstown, Kinsale, Co. Cork: A bespoke contemporary coastal residence positioned near Garrettstown Beach, carefully sculpted to frame Atlantic views while providing sheltered outdoor living against prevailing coastal winds.

Dunworley, West Cork: A site-responsive new-build home overlooking Dunworley Bay, balancing bold architectural glazing with natural, weather-resistant coastal materials and scenic landscape sensitivity.

Coolnagay, Co. Cork: A custom low-energy rural residence designed around passive solar orientation, clean contemporary forms, and Certified Passive House principles.

Overlooking the Bandon River estuary in Kilmacsimon between Kinsale and Bandon, ‘Riverview’ is a bespoke, low-energy residence completed in March 2019. The house secured Cork County Council planning approval on a sensitive, sloped riverside site by stepping the building form gently into the natural topography.

The architectural concept centres on framing panoramic water views while creating sheltered, sunlit living spaces protected from estuarine winds. Inside, generous open-plan volumes are anchored by bespoke timber joinery, clean architectural sightlines, and expansive triple-glazed sliding doors that connect the interior directly with river-facing terraces.

Externally, a restrained palette of tactile, weather-resistant materials—combining crisp smooth render, larch timber cladding, and durable zinc roofs—allows the contemporary form to settle naturally into its coastal-rural landscape.

Sustainability & Low-Energy Performance
Designed using Certified Passive House principles, the home follows a rigorous "fabric-first" approach to minimise energy demand and ensure effortless year-round comfort. Continuous high-grade insulation, thermal-bridge-free detailing, and exceptional airtightness work alongside passive solar orientation, heat recovery ventilation (MVHR), and renewable heating technology—delivering superior indoor air quality, dramatic reductions in running costs, and long-term environmental resilience

Riverstick Courtyard Farmhouse — Vernacular Courtyard New Build & Outbuilding Renovation, Co. Cork

Located in the rolling countryside of Riverstick between Kinsale and Cork City, this bespoke residence and restored stone outbuilding demonstrate how contemporary architecture can thrive within strict rural planning frameworks. Designed by Louise Sliney Architects MRIAI, the project secured Cork County Council rural housing approval by drawing directly from the traditional West Cork agricultural clachan—a historic vernacular pattern where dwellings and farm buildings cluster organically around a central working yard.

Internally, the layout is custom-crafted around the family’s daily rhythm and the sun's path, featuring generous vaulted volumes, bespoke timber joinery, and fluid connections to a southern shaded terrace and sheltered garden courtyard. Externally, an honest, locally grounded palette of untreated larch timber cladding, crisp smooth render, and restored natural stonework ensures the contemporary volumes settle naturally into their agricultural setting and weather with grace.

Sustainability & Low-Energy Performance
Built using Certified Passive House principles, the home pairs its sheltered courtyard microclimate with a fabric-first envelope—incorporating continuous insulation, thermal-bridge-free junctions, verified airtightness, triple glazing, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR)—delivered under full RIAI architectural and Assigned Certifier (BCAR) oversight from feasibility to handover.

Compass Hill Residence —

Contemporary Hillside Infill New Build, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Positioned on an elevated infill site on Compass Hill overlooking Kinsale town and harbour, this high-end contemporary residence demonstrates how ambitious modern architecture can unlock complex urban-coastal plots. , The project secured Cork County Council planning approval through a sensitive, site-led architectural strategy that respects neighbouring properties, historic streetscape scale, and protected harbour sightlines.

Hillside Integration & Contemporary Spatial Design
Carefully set into the steep natural gradient of Compass Hill, the building steps cleanly with the hillside contours to minimise visual prominence while maximising elevated panoramic views and natural daylight. Inside, light-filled open-plan living spaces, generous ceiling volumes, and bespoke architectural joinery flow seamlessly onto cantilevered and sheltered harbour-facing terraces.

Materiality & High-Performance Detailing
Crafted for an exposed coastal microclimate, the exterior pairs crisp architectural render with tactile natural stone, warm timber accents, and expansive triple-glazed structural glazing.

Mitchelstown new build farm passive house

Farmhouse completed in 2016

Farmhouse new build County Cork

Ballincollig, Co. Cork, architect, new build

Belgooly Cottage Renovation & Extension — Pre-Famine Vernacular Home, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Located in the scenic countryside of Belgooly just minutes from Kinsale, this bespoke architectural project transforms a traditional pre-famine, two-room Irish stone cottage into a light-filled, modern family home. The scheme balances historic vernacular preservation with contemporary spatial design, proving how sensitive rural interventions can unlock the potential of derelict or period properties in South County Cork.

Architectural Concept & Planning Strategy
Navigating Cork County Council rural planning guidelines, the design retains and restores the original stone cottage structure as the historic anchor of the property. A contemporary extension was introduced to house modern open-plan kitchen, dining, and living spaces without overwhelming the traditional scale. Clean architectural glazing and stepped roof forms frame views of the surrounding countryside while flooding the deep plan with natural southern daylight.

Materiality, Restoration & Energy Upgrade

Historic Fabric Conservation: Traditional lime render, natural local stone, and sympathetic roof detailing preserve the authentic character of the original two-room cottage.

Contemporary Contrast: The new extension uses crisp architectural render, warm natural timber accents, and high-performance triple glazing to create a clear, honest distinction between old and new.

Thermal & Comfort Upgrade: Applying a fabric-first approach, the existing solid walls and new extension were upgraded with breathable insulation, improved airtightness, and modern low-energy heating systems to deliver year-round comfort.

New build Macroom

Rural house, planning granted in 2013

Family home completed in 2018

Boutique Housing Developments — Design-Led Residential Schemes, Kinsale & Co. Cork

Alongside our private one-off residences, Louise Sliney Architects MRIAI partners with discerning private landowners and boutique developers to design small-scale, high-quality housing schemes across Kinsale, Macroom, Summerhill, and County Cork. Applying the same site-responsive rigour and architectural craft found in our custom homes, we create cohesive residential clusters that elevate local streetscapes and maximise site value.

Architectural Approach & Planning Feasibility
Securing multi-unit residential planning permission in town-centre and edge-of-settlement sites requires careful masterplanning. Working closely with Cork County Council planners, our studio conducts early-stage feasibility studies, density assessments, and 3D massing models to unlock complex infill and brownfield sites. Each development is tailored to its immediate context—respecting neighbouring scale, natural topography, and local vernacular materials while delivering contemporary, light-filled homes.

Featured Residential Schemes

Kinsale Residential Scheme, Co. Cork: A bespoke, small-scale residential development designed to complement Kinsale’s historic coastal character, pairing private sheltered courtyards with refined contemporary elevations.

Macroom Town-Centre Development, Co. Cork: A carefully proportioned multi-unit housing proposal engineered to navigate tight urban constraints, optimising solar orientation and private amenity space for each dwelling.

Summerhill, Courtmacsherry,, Co. Cork: A tailored residential layout balancing architectural individuality with cohesive streetscape rhythm and sustainable low-energy design.

Fabric-First Sustainability: Incorporating high-grade insulation, airtight detailing, and renewable heating strategies to ensure future-proofed A-rated energy performance across every unit.

Renovation and extension of an existing detached single storey bungalow. Completed in 2015.

Designs and planning applications in progress