Airfield House in Dublin, Ireland, is a 42-acre estate, farm, and historic house that has been open to the public since 1998.
Solearth's recent project reconfigures it to be a fertile and delightful "ecosystem;" a family experience, working farm, fecund gardens, and much more in the midst of urban and suburban development. "City Home, Country Heart" has long been Airfield's by line and the diversity, seasonality, and enchantment our clients have long engendered here makes something of an understatement of even this ambitious goal.
Solearth led a multidisciplinary design team, working from previous sustainable master plans we and others had developed, to create an enhanced landscape of farm and garden activities; eco structures and buildings that make a positive contribution to the unique Airfield experience; conservation works that will strengthen the architectural character of the existing building stock; and the development of sustainable and energy efficient designs based on passive measures.
The project was completed in late 2013 and has won many awards.
As well as new entrances and car parks, Solearth has created a new shop and entrance pavilion, new waterside restaurant , new facilities for education, car display, new horticultural and cooking demonstration areas, and a new farmyard complex. In addition, the main house has been restored and reconfigured as a museum to the Overend sisters, who bequeathed the estate to the public.