Found Architecture is a design studio that makes buildings and places.
Our designs are defined by our clients’ needs and by the specific qualities of each site, but also by the values which we bring to our work, many of which our clients share. Some of the core values which inform our work are described here:
Space & Light
The simplest qualities. In Ireland the light is soft, indirect and delicate, and its qualities are most apparent in generous, calm spaces which are connected to the changing sky
Energy Efficiency
This means designing to the highest possible technical standards, and preferring materials with low embodied energy. We have extensive experience in passive house construction and in best practice energy and carbon efficient design.
Timber Construction
The use of timber goes hand in hand with minimising embodied energy. Timber is a highly versatile, renewable, durable and beautiful material, and we strive to realise the potential of new timber technologies in all projects.
Nature
While each project finds its own particular character, they are each in the end a silent background to life and nature. Through a deep consideration of landscape and context we ensure each building becomes an integral part of its place.
Participation & Co-Design
As a founder of SOA we firmly believe that that the future users of buildings should be instrumental in their design and realisation. From individual homes to collective projects, we believe that participation is always a source of insight and originality.
Conservation
We value conservation both as a means to preserve character and historic value, and as a challenge to minimise the unnecessary use of new materials wherever possible.
Simple. Natural
The use of a small number of natural materials, imaginatively combined, can create the most compelling spaces. We try to use simplicity to draw attention to the character and qualities of natural and crafted materials
Our Process begins with the client and the site
Each of our projects is an opportunity to collaborate and to learn, to create a bespoke design and carefully executed outcome
Our design process begins with conversations with our clients, and with a careful investigation of the qualities of the site. We develop our designs using sketches, models, computer modelling and rendering, and drawings which become more precise as the design evolves. These methods help the process of discovery, and are also essential tools for communication with clients.
SELF-ORGANISED ARCHITECTURE (SOA)
Out principal Colin McDonnell is also a founding director of Self-Organised Architecture (SOA Research CLG).
SOA is an action research collaborative working to establish Community-Led Housing in Ireland. It is independent, mission driven, and not-for-profit.
Community-Led Housing is an umbrella term, encompassing a wide range of approaches, including cooperative housing, cohousing, Community Land Trusts (CLTs), and self-help housing. Although no two Community-Led Housing projects are the same, they all share a common goal of meeting specific local housing needs via collaboration, empowerment and mutual support.
SOA has been working since 2018 on a mission which involves research, advocacy and support for groups and communities who wish to provide housing for themselves. A number of SOA projects are linked below, and you can go directly to the SOA website here
Cork Community Land Trust
Community Housing Coop Research Project
2024 SOA Election Manifesto
SOA CoHousing Zines
New Habit(at)s! Event
EU Interreg SHICC Project
European CLT Network
Upcycling Trust
RESEARCH & TEACHING
Research
“Notes on Self-Initiated Practice”
Colin is currently carrying out Arts Council-funded research on the strategies used by architects to sustain work on self- or co-initiated projects where the primary goal is social or environmental impact.
While projects of this type are now widely publicised, there is little attention given to the mean by which practitioners support themselves financially (and otherwise) to carry out this work.
The goal of this research is therefore:
To gather and share strategies for making this type of work sustainable
To support those interested in this type of work to plan a career pathway
To contribute to the establishment of social impact design as an established and viable field of practice
The output of the project is intended to be a published resource in print and online form. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2026
Teaching:
Colin is a current staff member at UCD School of Architecture, where he acts as a studio tutor. He has also previously contributed teaching at Cork School or Architectural Education (CCAE) and at the School of Architecture, Building and Environment, TU Dublin