Marshall McCann Architects

Designing a contemporary extension to this listed building, to make the most of these views.

Changing the feel, opening spaces up, revealing the essence and views of this house. With one easy movement…sliding doors. Anybody else get the movie reference??!

Picking up on the views, and the timber, from every room. This is the kids study area; which is within their bedroom area. It’s a flexible space; for homework's, studying, gaming – or just doing what teenagers do best – chilling. Every space, its use, light quality, ventilation, thermal comfort, should be considered and planned to work for you and your family. If you would like to discuss your house design with us, send us an email.

Delighted that our Matsu House has been shortlisted in the Institute of Designers in Ireland Awards. Looking forward to what should be a fun night in Dublin on Thursday 14th November.

Life is architecture and architecture is the mirror of life. – I.M.Pei Where do we get our ideas from? Often You. The client. You may not realise it, but things you say to us sparks an interest, an idea. We love to chat, understand who you are. Who you want to be. How you want to live. We want to design your lives now and in the future. We design a better future, together. But what does this mean? We design not for how you are living now – maybe in your city apartment – but for how you want to live, in your new house. If you want to be the type of person who has Sunday dinners with family, who connects often with those you live with, who sits around a fire pit on a cold night; we design for these moments, for chance meetings with your teens (often found near the fridge). We look at ways of getting fleeting glimpses; places in our homes to rest, cosy up, connect. We connect spaces on the horizontal, but also on the vertical. Crucially, we also design places to escape to. Designing your life helps us design your home. And vice versa. Drop us an email if you are thinking of extending, renovating, or building.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL: We couldn’t be happier with the work of Marshall McCann! From the outset, Roisin demonstrated a remarkable ability to truly listen to and understand our needs. We wanted a modern extension but knew it had to be sensitive to the conservation area in which we live. Roisin & Martin brought our vision to life in a way that exceeded our expectations, blending contemporary design with respect for the historical surroundings. They seamlessly integrated clean lines and modern finishes, creating a space that feels both timeless and innovative. Throughout the process, Roisin & Martin were communicative, responsive, and committed to making sure every detail aligned with our vision. They struck the perfect balance between functionality and style, ensuring our new space is not only beautiful but also practical for daily living. We’ve received so many compliments on the design, and it has added incredible value and enjoyment to our home. We wholeheartedly recommend Marshall McCann to anyone looking for a skilled, thoughtful, and visionary architect.

Whilst the overall concept, flow, & design of your house makes for a beautiful home, the details do matter. The concept sets the overall tone for the house; but it is the details that make up the whole. This simple, restrained, handrail was this clients joy. The engineering, the simplicity. Balanced with the warmth of the walnut stairs. Brings together the essence of this house. Simple, restrained, elegant. If you are thinking of designing your own home, get in touch. We can help you decide on the concept, but also the details, and how they all come together to create a beautiful home.

A client recently quipped “you are part architect, part therapist”. When designing houses, sometimes there are, lets say…..differences of opinions….between couples. When designing a house, we want to help design people’s lives; how you live and work; creating better lives; designing a better future, together. How you live, where you live, and the environment in which you live, has such a huge impact on the quality of your life. Part of our job is to help you navigate through the decisions; and sometime that is a little mediation from us. We take time to get to know you, understand what it is you want in a house; how you want to live. And remind you of your original brief if you start to deviate. We design with you at the centre of every decision. We want to make this an enjoyable process, as for most people, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which involves time & money. It needs to be done right. Sometimes we need to find a compromise where both parties are happy with the solution. But, mainly, we provide reassurance and confidence that you, our client, are making the right decision. And importantly; we will tell you if we think you are making a mistake. If you would like to understand better how we work; how we design award winning houses for you – then get in touch for a consultation.

Our next collaboration with FourSeven Homes has just finished on site. A beautiful, calm and serene house, nestled amongst the trees. If you are interested in buying, contact David Menary for a viewing.

Historic buildings have great charm – high ceilings, bright rooms, gorgeous details – but honestly, they can be freezing in winter. It sounds amazing to live or work in one of these beautiful spaces, but the reality often includes struggling with heating, damp, and draughts. And hot water bottles. So, what's the solution? Retrofit! Except, its not that easy. You cant just ‘throw on some insulation’. Historic buildings come with their own unique challenges. How do you insulate solid walls that have intricate decoration inside and out? And more importantly, how do you do it without causing moisture problems or mould? Every historic building is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. That’s why we must take the time to look at each project individually – considering everything from the building’s design to budget and the long-term value. Often, the biggest heat loss isn’t from a lack of insulation. About 40% of heat loss in a typical historic building comes from draughts – so for every £100 on heating, £40 is literally going out the window (or door, or gaps…cracks…). But surely an airtight building is stuffy? That’s why improving ventilation is essential – ideally with a system like MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery). And the best part? Boosting airtightness often costs a fraction of what insulation does. Got an old or historic house or building that’s cold and draughty? Give us a call to see how can help keep your space cosy and preserve those details you love.