Z Square House evokes Islamic architecture in an Edwardian garden

The Z Square House was designed by McCullough Mulvin Architects as a modern complement to a historic Edwardian home in South Dublin, Ireland.

The designers were inspired by traditional Islamic architecture. and the boxy structure is situated around private garden courtyards, accessible only from the interior of the home, giving its residents their own hidden oasis.

Set in the rear garden property of a large Edwardian home, the Z Square house harmonizes with the landscape with its linear design and integration of nature throughout. Inside, the house features an open plan with plenty of floor to ceiling glazed windows, which continue the open and airy feeling inside, and sometimes replace entire walls. Light hardwoods adorn the floor and shelving, which are reflected in timber accents on the exterior. Oversized sky lights further fill the space with sunlight, and give glimpse of the starry sky at night.

The interior glass walls open onto a series of inner courtyards, which are shielded from the common yard of the property. Private gardens with grasses, saplings and flower beds integrate with the living areas when the glass walls are opened, blurring the lines between outdoors and in.

The garden continues on the linear home’s roof, where a thickly planted landscape doubles as an elevated lawn. The green roof also helps to filter the rainwater common to the Irish climate, as well as acts as a natural insulator to help keep energy costs lower inside the home.