Home of the Year

From Derelict Garage to Contemporary Family Home

13a Portobello demonstrates how Graepels’ perforated metal can contribute to innovative residential architecture. Built on a highly restricted rear-garden site in Dublin 8, the project transformed the site of a derelict garage into a contemporary family home in which privacy, natural light, security and visual openness were key design considerations.

The architects responded to the limitations of the site by positioning the bedrooms at ground-floor level and the principal living accommodation on the first floor. While this “upside-down” arrangement helped maximise usable space and natural light within the home, its north-facing orientation and close proximity to neighbouring properties created particular challenges around privacy and daylight at the lower level.

Perforated metal was selected as an important part of the architectural response. Graepels was engaged as the specialist manufacturer responsible for producing the bespoke folded and perforated steel panels required for the project.

Delivering the Perforated-Metal Solution

The project required long-format panels that would provide privacy and an additional layer of security to the ground-floor bedrooms while continuing to admit daylight, ventilation and a controlled level of visual permeability.

Rather than treating the perforated metal as a series of isolated decorative inserts, the panels were used to create a strong and consistent architectural treatment across the lower section of the building. This helped visually unite the façade and allowed different openings behind the screen to be read as part of one coherent composition.

Graepels manufactured bespoke folded and perforated steel panels in lengths of up to three metres. The panels featured perforation spec: GRAE F030 R064/S111A, producing a regular and closely controlled pattern across the visible surfaces.

The use of long-format panels helped minimise the number of visible joints and contributed to a cleaner, more continuous architectural finish. Their folded edges provided additional rigidity while also creating crisp lines, depth and definition within the façade.

Particular attention was given to hole alignment, dimensional accuracy, panel flatness and the relationship between the perforated areas, folds, edges and connection points. These considerations were especially important because the panels formed a prominent and highly visible part of the completed home. Any misalignment, distortion or inconsistency in the perforation pattern would have been immediately apparent after installation.

Using its specialist perforation and manufacturing capabilities, Graepels translated the architectural specification into repeatable, high-quality components suitable for integration into the wider metalwork package. The panels were subsequently powder coated by the fabricator, providing a consistent finished appearance and additional protection for the external application.

Demonstrating the Versatility of Perforated Metal

Although perforated metal is frequently associated with commercial buildings, infrastructure and industrial applications, 13a Portobello demonstrates its value within carefully considered residential architecture.

The panels perform several functions simultaneously. They provide privacy and a sense of protection to the ground-floor rooms while their controlled open area allows light and air to pass through. They also help conceal the openings behind a unified external surface without creating the visual heaviness of a completely solid wall.

The appearance of the perforated façade changes throughout the day. In daylight, the panels can read as a robust and protective external layer. When the interior is illuminated, light becomes visible through the perforations, revealing the pattern and giving the façade a softer and more permeable character. This changing relationship between solidity and transparency adds visual interest while preserving privacy for the occupants.

The material also contributes to the wider architectural identity of the house. Its robust, utilitarian character responds to the former garage site and the working nature of the adjoining rear lane. At the same time, its precision, folded geometry and powder-coated finish provide a deliberate contemporary contrast to the textured red brick and masonry used elsewhere in the building.

The project showcases Graepels’ ability to manufacture bespoke, large-format architectural components rather than simply supplying standard perforated sheets. It demonstrates how specialist manufacturing knowledge can help architects and fabricators balance aperture size, pitch, panel dimensions, folding requirements and visual consistency to create a project-specific solution.

Through precise manufacturing and coordination with the project team, Graepels transformed a detailed architectural concept into a practical, durable and visually distinctive steel feature that became an integral part of the home’s identity.