For most of us, buying or building a home is the biggest financial commitment we’ll ever make. Updating or expanding that space brings its own set of challenges too — especially now, with rising costs and ongoing issues around materials and labour. So, from a self-build to that dream extension, where do you begin? With good foundations in the form of an experienced architect.
“If you buy a house, you have two questions to answer: ‘Do I like it?’ and ‘Am I going to buy it?’ It’s as simple as that. If you’re going to build a new house, extend it or renovate it, you’ve got 32,000 questions to answer. You need help. That’s my job as an architect, I’m there to advise and guide you,” says architect Colm Nolan.
The Wexford native spent a number of years working in the UK, building up a portfolio that was both extensive and varied. He worked on everything from listed buildings to contemporary properties and five-star hotel projects. “I’ve learned how to deal with different situations over the years, which is so important,” Nolan says, pointing to the value of time and experience in any career.
He returned home to Wexford around 2001, and set up his own practice, Circa Design. A registered architect with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), he works alongside his wife Jackie, who is a qualified urban designer and co-director of the business.
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Working throughout Leinster, including Dublin, the majority of their projects are small to large private houses. “I’ve done works from a house of €3.5m down to an extension a number of years ago, when you did get value for money, for €50,000,” Nolan says. “We’d have that variety but it’s not the size of the project that really matters to us. The aim is to achieve the person’s goal; that’s the main thing. That’s what makes it enjoyable.
“The important part for us is that I need to understand what you want,” he adds. “If I understand that, I can design it for you. I say to people, come in and tell me what you want. You just start at the beginning and work your way through, it’s no more complicated than that. Trust me, I will extract the brief from you - without any pain.”
This client-focused ethos even extends to letting clients ignore his advice sometimes and being gracious if it doesn’t quite work out for them. “I always tell my clients, if you say, ‘This is what I want,’ and I say, ‘Are you mad?’, it’s fine, just don’t come back at me afterwards,” he laughs.
Nolan and his team work closely together, a process that enriches projects and the outcomes for clients. “We will sometimes sit down in the office and say, ‘Who designed that?’ And it was the office team, not just an individual, which is good. It’s what you really want for your house.”
They are also heavily involved in the building of many of the projects. Nolan says he always emphasises that clients should communicate with their architect not the builder. “If you don’t do that it could be a disaster, and things could be lost in translation,” he says. “I’m the referee and specification is the rulebook.”
Describing his design philosophy as simple, efficient, green and contemporary, Nolan has a particular interest in passive design. The concept centres on how every component in a build is put together to create more comfortable, healthier living. “Most clients are looking for light and space,” he says. “Not over-cluttered, with clarity, simplicity, and functionality. It doesn’t have to have a big budget either. It’s about that sense of ‘I like being in the space, it feels good.’”
He is seeing a growing demand from clients for energy efficient homes too, he says. “From new builds to extensions, renovations and alternations, people are looking to futureproof their house or building. The big thing for a lot of people is that they can have their running costs down to a couple of hundred euro a year. It’s a key selling point. Unfortunately, sometimes they want the house that has really low running costs, but it does cost more to put all this stuff in. You just have to get the right balance.
“It’s like cars,” he adds. “Would you love a car that goes 100 miles per gallon or a car that was 20 miles per gallon? Houses are exactly the same: it’s the running costs for the rest of your life.”
Any conversations around self-builds or home renovations these days will inevitably come around to costs. According to the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, average home rebuilding costs in Ireland rose by 6.2 per cent over the 12 months up to late 2024, with some regions seeing even higher increases.
While this represents less of a rise than in previous years, knowing what you’re going into and having a realistic budget in mind is essential. “I always ask my clients two questions,” Nolan says. “First, ‘What do you want to do?’ and second, ‘What’s the spend?’ That’s to see if what you’re looking for and what you want to spend are in the same category. Roughly about 70 per cent of clients will be right enough with their budgets, or even a little high sometimes, which is quite shocking but good in a way, I think. It’s very hard nowadays to say what the costs will be because you just couldn’t keep up with it. All you can do is say to a client, ‘Look, this is where the costs are guiding at the moment.’” For Nolan, architecture is a way of life, not just a career and while the problem-solving aspect appeals to him, the opportunity to combine creativity and technical skill is something he clearly loves. “Most careers are a science or an art, but an architect is probably both,” he says. “At the initial stage, you are design-orientated, then you have the technical specification and then you have the build.”
“A friend of mine is a blacksmith, and one day I brought him up to a building I’d done. He turned to me and said, ‘I make small sculptures, you just make big ones’,” Nolan adds, sounding delighted at the comparison.
There you have it. The work of an architect: merging science and art to create something special and make dreams come true. circadesign.ie
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How to choose the right architect
Whether you’re building a new house, renovating a period property, or adding an extension to your home, selecting the right architect is a vital part of the process. They’ll work on the concept and bring your vision to life. They will also help you navigate the planning process, manage your budget and, with a bit of luck, make the experience as low-stress as possible. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you select that all-important partner for your home renovation adventure.
1. Make sure you’re working with a registered architect
Perhaps the most important step is to select a fully registered architect. The RIAI is the regulatory body for architects in Ireland. It ensures members meet strict professional standards and offers peace of mind as a result. You can verify an architect’s registration on the RIAI website (riai.ie) and there is also a directory that will help you to find a registered architect in your area.
2. Identify your priorities and budget
Before contacting any architect, define your aims for the project. What are your priorities? Are you looking for more space, better light, an eco-upgrade or a total transformation of your home? Consider the size of the project and what you want to achieve and sketch out a budget and any potential time constraints on your end. Keep in mind that your needs, and those of your family, may change over the coming years so try to futureproof your home, if possible, at this stage.
3. Review portfolios and previous projects
Every architect will have their own style and strengths so do some research to find one whose work aligns with the type of project you’re planning. Things to look for include experience in similar builds (eg rural homes, period renovations, passive design etc) and a style you like. Instagram can be a great resource for this. It can also be helpful if the architect has local experience, such as knowledge of your local authority’s planning processes, and an understanding of common issues related to building and renovating in Ireland.
4. Arrange a meeting with your shortlisted candidates
Undertaking home renovations or a new build can be a stressful process and it’s essential that you click with your architect. Create a shortlist and arrange an initial consultation with each potential architect, meeting either in person or virtually. This is also an opportunity to learn more about their skillset, experience and approach to design. At this stage, good communication, and feeling that you are being listened to, is key.
5. Make sure you understand the services and fees
Architects may offer a full or partial service, with some focusing on design and planning and others working on everything from initial concept to construction and final handover. Clarify the services you’re after and make sure you understand the fee structure. Establish what’s included in the fee – and what’s not. Always request a written record of the proposed fees and work so everyone knows where they stand.
6. Ask for references
Before you make your decision, ask to speak with past clients and, if possible, visit a completed project to see the architect’s work in real life. Things you can ask clients include: Did the project finish on time and stay on budget? How was their working relationship with the architect and would they hire them again? Taking these extra steps is worth the effort as choosing the right architect can make the whole process of your home build or renovation run a lot more smoothly.
