Airship in the Trees - Ennis
Project Overview
A unique woodland home in Co Clare, designed by John Curran Architects, demonstrates how strong narrative design can be supported by precise façade engineering and high-performance materials.
Saol san Aer (“Life in the Air”) overlooks the Shannon Estuary and draws inspiration from Ireland’s Golden Age of Flight, referencing the craftsmanship and elegance of early aviation. The project expands an existing 1960s dwelling to create a multi-generational family home set sensitively within a mature woodland site.
The architecture balances storytelling with buildability — where form, structure and material choice work together to deliver both expression and long-term performance.
Architect: John Curran Architects
Architecture & Narrative
The design celebrates an era when aviation symbolised ambition and elegance. From the Yankee Clipper to the Lockheed Constellation, the architectural language echoes the flowing forms and structural logic of aircraft construction.
Rather than imposing on its setting, the house sits among the trees, with materiality and geometry working together to create a crafted, story-led piece of architecture.
Cladding Material - Parklex Prodema was selected to deliver:
- Natural timber character aligned with the architectural concept
- Durability suited to Ireland’s exposed climate
- Low maintenance performance
- Consistent finish and façade longevity
The material allowed the warmth of wood to be expressed externally without compromising performance requirements.
Our Role
As façade specialists — The Rainscreen People — we worked alongside the design team to ensure the architectural intent could be delivered as a high-performance, buildable envelope.
From material selection through to system integration and technical guidance, our involvement helped translate design vision into a durable ventilated façade solution suited to Ireland’s climate and the project’s woodland setting.
Call: +353 (0)1 293 8951
Email: info@elemental.ie
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