Cúlú – guesthouse in Ireland

"Looking at the beauty of nature is the first step to clearing your mind."

                                                                                                 Amit Ray

The above quote literally shows what we really need in this rush of life to feel happy.

The main inspiration in terms of the functional and spatial arrangement is biophilic design. It is based on the human relationship with the natural environment. Literally translated, it is love for nature. Biophilic design uses knowledge about people to improve their well-being, concentration and creativity. Tries to maintain the balance necessary to maintain health and mental balance. Biophilia researchers have noticed that human interaction with the world depends on its natural features: light, sound, smell, vegetation and the geometry of nature positively influence human perception of the world. An architect should never forget that. He should analyze the impact of the building on the natural environment each time, therefore the design involves the use of motifs and symbols inspired by nature, natural, local materials and introducing as much natural light as possible into the interior.

Cúlú - a word in Irish means seclusion.

The building is located in Ireland in the west of County Clare in the village of Ballyherragh on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean cliff, surrounded by extensive meadows. Due to the nature of this place, the key design aspect was not to interfere with the surrounding landscape. The main inspiration in the design of the building were the natural views of the landscape, in particular the biggest tourist attraction of this place, the Moher cliff. The cliff-inspired outline of the building follows the edge of the cliff, giving the viewer the impression of being on a cliff.

The architectural form is created by 4 cuboidal solids in which the building's cubature is placed. One is completely underground and three lumps are partially recessed into the ground, giving them the shape of a cliff. The roof of the guesthouse is planted with vegetation, thanks to which the building is invisible outside the walls. Hiding the guesthouse underground shows respect for the local architecture and landscape. The facility has a terrace character. Entrances to the observation deck are designed by pulling one edge upwards, giving the shape of a protruding cliff. A viewing axis has been marked out in the study area. It runs from the central part of the end of the plot to the south overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, so the main entrance to the building is on the viewing axis. Stairs carved in the rock lead to the building.

The designed building consists of 8 parts. The first part is a technical zone with a completely underground car park. There are 34 parking spaces in the garage, including 2 for disabled people. The main entrance to the property is on the ground floor, which is divided into 5 parts; a restaurant section with kitchen facilities, a swimming pool with a spa and an entrance area with a botanical garden with a waiting room, an administrative and communication section with a staircase and two elevators connecting all floors of the building. The residential part, which consists of 25 hotel rooms, is located on two floors. Each room has access to a green south facing terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. On the top floor there is a silence zone, i.e. a meditation room and access to the observation deck on the roof of the building.

The building structure consists of prefabricated columns and reinforced concrete beams. The system is based on a foundation plate. Walls made of natural stone. The roof of the building is designed as a green flat roof. The terrace is made of wooden impregnated boards. The building uses natural thermal insulation, which is an expanded cork.

The facility will be finished with natural stone from the excavation for the building. Wooden shutters were used to make the façade more attractive and to add more intimacy to the guesthouse users.

The idea behind safe shutters is to create an outer space of seclusion for each hotel room. The roller shutters have 4 different functions: fully closed, partially closed, partially open and fully open. Fully closed roller shutters ensure full safety for people staying in the room. Partially closed, they bring light rays into the room.

Partially open shutters provide access to the garden terrace. Fully open shutters create a separate loggia, thus creating a safe space for relaxation.

The roller shutters are made of wooden mobile profiles that can change their function according to the users' preferences.