Designed by architect RHD Architects, this Lisburn dwelling replaced a house once owned by the resident’s grandmother. Originally rural, the site is now surrounded by modest single-storey housing, making the striking contemporary home an unexpected yet intriguing presence.

RHD Architects first considered renovating the existing dwelling, but their spatial vision and energy ambitions soon pointed towards demolition and a new design. The result is unapologetically modern yet sensitive to its setting, creating both anticipation and curiosity. The main entrance sets the tone: a refined side-glazed door beneath a slim steel canopy, offering a glimpse of the sophistication within.

Inside, the entrance hall is flanked by elegant storage and neatly separates the two wings – bedrooms to one side and living to the other. A subtle change in level draws visitors towards the lounge, where a lofty open-plan kitchen, dining and living space unfolds. Light floods the room, enhanced by the pitched roof volume and its strong relationship with a minimalist garden accessed through a glazed sliding door. Despite its compact footprint, the space feels generous and uplifting, encouraging long conversation and relaxation.

The house sits on a corner site with a natural drop in level. Rather than disguise this, it is used to dramatic effect, creating a sunken garden retained by the higher approach. The vertical larch cladding and carefully detailed fins further root the design in its landscape.

The bedroom wing also offers unexpected quality. While naturally compartmented, clever interventions elevate it – from the subtly screened, top-lit bathroom entrance to the master bedroom, where roof lights and loft-like volume ensure daylight and atmosphere. These touches turn functional rooms into emotive spatial experiences.

Far from a typical suburban infill, the dwelling demonstrates how contemporary architecture can transform an ordinary context into something extraordinary.

“Through sensitive detailing, thoughtful planning and quietly effective energy design, it achieves both elegance and delight”