The owner of this Dublin house had some friends around for lunch one day - in her new extension - and by the time the meal had ended everyone had shifted places until they were all lined up along one side of the table facing the garden. This new construction, of two garden rooms facing each other across a courtyard and pond, has that effect. It has a dynamism and warmth, achieved through various materials and changing levels, all pulled together into a considered whole. It is not only people-friendly, it also welcomes wildlife who are oblivious to humans watching them through the glass. The owner had tidied up for my visit and the birdbaths were removed for sweeping but during our conversation these had to be put back as feathered divebombers sought out their aqua targets. "Their expectation has to be rewarded," says the owner, as a bird splashes head first into a bowl. The brief, to architect Peter Cully, was to have a place to sit out. He praises the fact that the clients drew up a wish list. "In that they did the perfect thing but they didn't say how they wanted to do it which is what an architect wants, not be told how to do the job from day one."
