Brennan Furlong Architects — South Dublin Projects
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Selected South Dublin Projects
Selected South Dublin Projects
South Dublin contains some of the most varied and established residential environments in the Dublin region, from coastal towns and village centres to mature suburban neighbourhoods, period streets and larger detached houses set within generous gardens. Brennan Furlong Architects has worked on projects across the south side of Dublin, developing architectural responses that are shaped by the particular character, planning conditions and spatial qualities of each location.
As architects working in South Dublin, we understand that this part of the city and county is defined by a wide range of architectural settings rather than a single identity. The coastal character of places such as Dalkey, Killiney, Sandycove and Dún Laoghaire differs markedly from the leafy suburban grain of Foxrock, Mount Merrion and Clonskeagh, while established urban neighbourhoods such as Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Rathgar present their own distinct conditions of scale, heritage and streetscape. Across all of these contexts, the underlying task remains the same: to understand the site carefully, work with the existing built fabric and develop architecture that is both contextually grounded and enduring in use.
Our work in South Dublin includes residential extensions, refurbishments, period home interventions, retrofit-led upgrades and new-build houses. Some projects are defined by historic fabric and the need for sensitive adaptation, while others are shaped by larger plots, garden settings, coastal exposure or the opportunities and constraints of established suburban streets. In each case, the design process begins with the qualities of the site itself rather than with a generic model of domestic architecture.
We have delivered a number of projects and homes in South Dublin. Select examples include:
Bow Lane West Kilmainham
Monkstown
Serpentine
Area Background / History
Architecture in South Dublin
South Dublin is architecturally rich and varied. On the south side of the city, neighbourhoods such as Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Rathgar contain a strong mix of Victorian and Edwardian houses, redbrick terraces, substantial period homes and mature tree-lined streets. These areas often have a pronounced architectural character, with consistent building lines, established gardens and a clear relationship between house, street and landscape. Architectural work in these settings frequently involves the careful refurbishment or extension of existing houses to accommodate contemporary living while respecting the grain and material character of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Further south and east, areas such as Blackrock, Monkstown, Sandymount and Mount Merrion combine suburban and coastal qualities in different ways. Houses in these areas may range from period villas and terraces to twentieth-century detached and semi-detached homes. Projects here often involve reworking existing buildings to improve spatial quality, natural light and the relationship to the garden, while also responding to established boundary conditions, mature planting and the visual rhythm of the street.
In coastal locations such as Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove, Dalkey and Killiney, architecture is shaped by topography, exposure and outlook. These places often present opportunities to engage with views, orientation and landscape setting, but they also demand careful consideration of shelter, privacy, material durability and how a building sits within a more visible coastal environment. Architectural work in these locations benefits from balancing openness to light and landscape with a sense of domestic protection and calm.
In more spacious suburban areas such as Foxrock and Clonskeagh, sites can offer larger footprints, deeper gardens and a looser urban grain. These conditions may create greater freedom in terms of layout and landscape integration, but they still require careful attention to planning context, neighbouring properties, access, drainage and the cumulative visual effect of development within an established setting.
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Planning & Site Context
Designing Projects in South Dublin
Architectural projects in South Dublin may fall under different local authority areas depending on the site. Parts of the south side of Dublin city sit within Dublin City Council, while many of the coastal and suburban areas associated with South Dublin fall within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown or South Dublin County Council. As a result, development standards, planning policies and local expectations can vary significantly from one location to another.
For that reason, early site analysis and planning review are especially important. A successful project in South Dublin depends not only on the client brief, but on a clear understanding of the surrounding streetscape, topography, garden structure, overlooking relationships, access conditions, heritage context and the relevant planning framework. In sensitive settings, particularly where period buildings or established residential character are involved, pre-planning consultation can also be useful in clarifying the parameters for development before the design is advanced in detail.
Established Southside Neighbourhoods
Areas such as Ballsbridge, Donnybrook and Rathgar often require a particularly careful response to existing building fabric and mature residential character. Houses may include historic detailing, substantial rear gardens and strong visual relationships to adjoining properties and the wider street. Extensions and refurbishments in these areas need to balance improved living conditions with careful control of scale, massing, daylight impact and architectural fit.
Coastal South Dublin Locations
Places such as Dún Laoghaire, Sandycove, Dalkey and Killiney bring specific environmental and visual conditions. Coastal sites may benefit from exceptional light, outlook and proximity to the sea, but they can also be more exposed to wind, salt air and weathering. In these settings, decisions around openings, external materials, roof form and outdoor space need to support comfort, durability and visual coherence. Architecture often works best here when it engages confidently with the landscape while still retaining a sense of shelter and permanence.
Leafy Suburban Areas
In locations such as Foxrock, Mount Merrion and Clonskeagh, projects are often shaped by larger gardens, detached houses, mature planting and a more spacious suburban grain. These conditions can offer valuable opportunities for reorganisation, extension or new construction, but they also demand sensitivity to scale, site coverage, boundary treatment and the established character of the area.
Period Homes
Many projects in South Dublin involve period houses or buildings with architectural heritage value. These may include Victorian and Edwardian properties, coastal terraces, older suburban villas or other houses that contribute strongly to the identity of their setting. Work to these buildings requires careful judgement, particularly where original proportions, material character and interior spatial logic remain important to the life of the house. Adaptation should enhance the building’s long-term use without eroding the qualities that make it distinctive.
Environmental Performance
Environmental performance is a central consideration in contemporary architecture across South Dublin. Whether working with a period house in Monkstown, a suburban home in Foxrock or a coastal dwelling in Killiney, the same principles apply: improve orientation where possible, maximise useful daylight, reduce heat loss, support natural ventilation and use durable materials that can perform well over time.
For existing buildings, careful retrofit and fabric upgrading can significantly improve thermal comfort and energy performance while preserving the strengths of the original structure. For new-build projects, early decisions around siting, envelope design, passive solar response and landscape integration help establish a more sustainable and long-lasting architectural outcome.
Our Approach to Architecture in South Dublin
Our approach to architecture in South Dublin begins with context. Each area has its own material character, planning sensitivity and spatial structure, and we believe good design depends on understanding those conditions properly from the outset. A house in Rathgar should not be approached in the same way as a house in Killiney, just as a project in Foxrock requires different thinking from one in Monkstown or Sandymount.
As architects working across South Dublin, we guide clients through the full process from initial feasibility and planning strategy to developed design and construction. We pay close attention to how a building sits on its site, how light enters and moves through it, how spaces connect and how architecture can support contemporary life in a clear and lasting way.
We are particularly interested in projects where thoughtful design can unlock the potential of an existing building or site — whether through extension, renovation, conservation-led intervention, retrofit or new construction. The aim is not simply to add area, but to create places that feel coherent, generous and well resolved.
If you are planning a residential project in South Dublin, whether in Blackrock, Dalkey, Killiney, Foxrock, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Rathgar, Mount Merrion, Sandycove, Clonskeagh, Dún Laoghaire or elsewhere on the south side of the city and county, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss it.