Plastic House by Architecture Republic

Irish firm Architecture Republic designed this beautiful renovation on an residential house in Dublin, which consists of a cruciform constructed out of polycarbonate and steel that extends from the center of the building out into a jutting, second-level extension in the rear of the house. The original facade is preserved, while the interior is completely reworked to be a sleek, open-feeling, modern living space.


The house sits on a terraced site, whose split-section layout is native to the area: a large open space to the front, with smaller rooms to the rear at a half-level difference. The project began by leveling out the interior by extensive removal of the existing extension, internal walls and earth. the result was a more open, double-height volume.

Platforms were created for dressing, sleeping, studying, relaxing and reclining, while the “trunk” contains a service elements including kitchen, toilet, storage and stairs. The plastic elements become opaque or semi-transparent foils for natural daylight (from the sides as well as skylights), reflected light and artificial back-lighting. These same sheets also ‘wrap’ around to serve various functions as walls, floors and ceiling.




Architecture Republic