THE COTTAGE, Church Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin dates to the Famine but was rebuilt five years ago when the owners found the traditional block construction was affecting their daughter’s asthma and allergies.
The owners bought the house in 2005 for its quiet central location, south-facing garden and the lane behind for the children to play. That year their five-year-old developed severe asthma. It was discovered she is allergic to mould and the traditional block construction of Irish houses and the damp weather can affect asthma sufferers.
“Houses built with plasterboard and brick cannot breathe so, when the moisture builds up inside a house, it cannot escape,” says the owner. “The result is mould – often not even noticeable.”
The Cottage retains part of the original façade but a German company reconstructed the house using a timber frame, breathable insulation, and breathable plasterboard and membranes. The result is a stylish and highly energy efficient home. There is shielded wiring in the bedrooms to prevent electric field leaks from the wire through the walls, which some believe can weaken the immune system when too close to a sleeping person’s head. They also used eco paint and avoided toxic glues in the fitted kitchens.
Sherry FitzGerald is asking €1.395 million for the 244sq m (2,595sq ft) four-bedroom house which has an open-plan living/kitchen/ dining area, playroom, pantry and utility. There’s also a 24sq m (260sq ft) garden house.
