When it launched in 2005, the Daintree Building was heralded as a new way to live – its use of sustainable materials showed a fresh approach to energy costs and the environment.
Fast forward nine years and the idea of an alpine sedum roof, breathable timber walls with sheep’s wool insulation, geothermal heating and reusing rainwater may no longer seem so revolutionary but it shows how ahead of the curve architects Solearth were when they built it. They have stayed true to its sustainability ethos since, most recently overseeing the development of Airfield, Dundrum which includes a new dramatic entrance pavilion.
The foliage at the Daintree may be slightly overgrown – the owners like this apparently – and the timber cladding greyed to many different shades but inside the building is wearing well. The vibe in the Cake Cafe, the tenant on the ground floor (closed on Sundays) and the fact that the building is close to the Camden Quarter yet feels far removed from its hustle are among Daintree’s stong selling points.
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Number 8 is a two-bedroom property on the first floor that looks out on to Pleasant’s Place and the brick building that was once St Kevin’s School for Girls.
Once an architect’s office, the owner applied for a change of use from commercial to residential and turned it into an apartment 109sq m (1182sq ft) in size.
The property features a large open-plan kitchen/living/dining room, with strong vertical industrial steel struts and horizontal wood roof beams. It’s a great room though the kitchen and island, with laminate marble-effect countertops, detract somewhat from its natural style but that can be easily changed.
On one side windows overlook the lane. On the opposite wall there is just one small window with several other recessed niches mimicking the shape of windows. It’s a feature that needs a bit of creative thinking to make more of it – lightbox presses might work.
Off the hall is a small, covered terrace with copper-clad sills, decking and Donegal cedar panelling that a smoker or someone with green fingers will love.
The master bedroom overlooks the courtyard and has a shower ensuite bathroom. Both bedrooms are doubles but neither has any built-in wardrobes. The triangle- shaped family bathroom has a shower. The property has solid wide plank oiled pitch pine flooring throughout.
Heating, hot water and bin charges are included in the service charges which are €3,800 annually. There is also a composting facility. The development won an SEAI Sustainable Energy Award in 2005. The apartment has a B1 BER. The property is asking €450,000 through agents Felicity Fox. It doesn't have any parking. Here, the bicycle is prioritised with the bike shed doubling as an art gallery with works made from found objects by Brazilian artist Beta Melo.
