Aughleam is a small, tightly knit rural village in North County Mayo that has been ravaged over time by immigration and de-population. It is a Gaeltacht area and as with most other Gaeltacht areas it struggles to retain its heritage, culture and native language.

Aughleam has a strong community and our response to the client's brief was to create a cluster of buildings that reflect this holistic community spirit. The individual units are arranged in a courtyard configuration where the users, visitors and the public at large are encouraged to interact and take ownership of the building!

The form of the main buildings is derived from typical West of Ireland farm out-buildings and
the form of the independent satellite radio station is a silhouette of the local fishing trade that has shaped the lives of the local community. Materials and colour palette are indigenous and provide clarity of form. The orientation of the buildings allows the natural sun-light to enter the courtyard to reinforce the space as the focal point of the project.

The building sits seamlessly into the fabric of the village thus ensuring that this micro-community forms an integral part of the macro-community.