PAUL ARNOLD ARCHITECTS

Paul Arnold Architects were commissioned to refurbish and extend the existing pair of gate lodges at Deerpark, Virginia, Co. Cavan in early 2008. The subject structures historically formed part of the former Virginia Park Lodge estate. Their style and construction indicate they were constructed c.1850.

The gate lodges are an attractive pair of single-storey cottages which share a spine wall. While they had already been heavily altered to augment their original accommodation, both retained a significant amount of primary fabric and their original plan form, though simple, was still clearly discernible. The previous alterations comprised various poor quality flat roof or lean-to extensions built over the course of the last century. Both cottages were in a state of disrepair with damp ingress evident throughout.

PROPOSED SCHEME - Due to complete spring 2010
The scheme for the lodges proposed the removal of all existing additions to the north and south, the conservation and repair of the existing historic fabric, and the sensitive extension of the cottages to augment accommodation to modern standards, adding bedroom and bathroom extensions to the north main road boundary, and sunroom extensions to the south. As the cottages had been suffering severe water ingress due to failed rainwatergoods and defective chimney flashings, the existing timber and masonry fabric required to be treated where wet and dry rot was evident, rotten timbers were cut out and replaced, and relevant general damp proofing measures were carried out. Any surviving features of the existing fabric (such as the steel leaded window sashes set in timber frames, the scalloped bargeboards and decorative paired timber bracketed eaves ) were conserved and repaired as necessary. The exterior lime dash had been harled over with a cement dash some time ago leaving an inconsistent and patchy finish. The decision was made to replace this with a traditional lime dash render, unifying the appearance of the cottages.

The interiors of the cottages have been entirely refurbished, re-plastered with a lime plaster, re-wired and re-plumbed, with characteristic features such as the original shutters retained and repaired and original fireplace openings re-instated. Modern suspended ceilings were removed to restore the original high-ceilinged spatial proportions.