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Modern House Extension Design in Dublin
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Modern House Extension Design in Dublin

Clean lines, large-format glazing and open-plan flow. We design and build contemporary extensions for Dublin homes, including sensitive modern additions to period properties.

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Contemporary Design for Dublin Homes

"Modern" is a design approach, not a separate build type — most modern-design extensions we build are kitchen extensions or rear extensions, specified with structural glass, slim aluminium framing, flush thresholds and an open-plan layout that blurs the line between kitchen, dining space and garden.

The brief comes up most often on Dublin's Victorian and Edwardian homes, where the front elevation stays untouched and the extension at the rear is unapologetically contemporary — a contrast that most planning authorities favour over a pastiche extension trying to match period detailing it can never quite get right.

See related work: kitchen extensions, glass extensions, or browse all services.

At a Glance

  • schedule
    Typical Build Time12 - 16 Weeks
  • straighten
    Typical Floor Area20sqm - 40sqm
  • location_on
    CoverageAll Dublin City & County

What Makes an Extension 'Modern'

Large-format glazing — full-width sliding or bi-fold doors, roof lanterns or a fully glazed roof, sized to bring in as much light as the structure allows.

Clean, flat detailing — flush thresholds between inside and outside flooring, minimal skirting and architrave, and a flat or low-pitched roof rather than a pitched roof matched to the original house.

Open-plan flow — kitchen, dining and living space combined into one room, usually the main driver behind the extension in the first place.

Modern Design on Period Dublin Homes

Most of Dublin's housing stock predates 1950, and most of our modern-design briefs are for exactly these homes — Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semis in areas like Blackrock, Rathmines and Drumcondra, where the front facade is protected or simply worth keeping, and the rear extension is where the contemporary design happens.

Contrasting materials — render, zinc or timber cladding against the original brick — make clear what's historic and what's new, which is usually an easier planning conversation than trying to replicate period detailing in new construction.

Popular Modern Extension Features

Structural glass roof lanterns, full-width aluminium bi-fold or slim sliding doors, polished concrete or large-format porcelain flooring that runs seamlessly from the kitchen out to the patio, and steel structural beams that remove the need for internal support columns in an open-plan space.

More cost & planning answers on our FAQ page or our cost guide.

Common Questions

Quick answers homeowners ask before they book a site visit.

What is a modern house extension?expand_more
A modern extension favours clean lines, large-format glazing and a flat or low-pitched roof over traditional pitched-roof, brick-matched designs. Materials typically include structural glass, aluminium framing, render or zinc cladding, and polished or engineered flooring that runs through from inside to out.
Can I add a modern extension to a period house in Dublin?expand_more
Yes - it's one of the most common briefs we get. Most Dublin period homes keep their original front elevation untouched and add a contemporary rear extension in contrasting materials, a design approach planning authorities generally favour over a fake-period pastiche, since it makes clear what's original and what's new.
What materials are used in modern extensions?expand_more
Structural glass and slim aluminium or steel framing for walls and roof lanterns, powder-coated aluminium bi-fold or sliding doors, render or standing-seam zinc cladding externally, and polished concrete, engineered timber or large-format porcelain flooring internally.
How much does a modern extension cost?expand_more
Pricing follows the same rules as any extension - size, structure and finish level - though glass-heavy modern designs sit at the upper end of the range since structural glazing costs more than a standard window and door. See our full cost guide for size-by-size figures.
Do modern extensions need planning permission?expand_more
The same exempted development rules apply regardless of style - up to 40 sqm to the rear, within height limits. Where a period home sits in a conservation area, the design of a contemporary rear extension gets more scrutiny than the size, so we handle that planning conversation as part of the project.

Ready to Get Started?

Free site survey, fixed-price quote, fully insured. Call our Dublin 2 team today.

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