conservation architect

Helen Devitt Architects Ltd is a small practice, established in Cork City in 2011 and now based in Co. Clare. Helen Devitt, MRIAI, Grade 1 Conservation Architect, draws on over 25 years experience, having worked in Manhattan, Glasgow, Dublin and Cork, in a range of architectural practices, including Murray O’Laoire Architects Cork and Cork City Council. The practice collaborates with other building professionals to offer a personal architectural design and consultancy service, specialising in works to vernacular buildings, protected structures and buildings of historical significance. Particular attention is given to the adaptation, re-use and sensitive extension of these historic buildings to develop a sympathetic response within their context in the surrounding Irish landscape. Other services include Architectural Heritage Impact Assessments, Historic Building Surveys, advice on Built Heritage Grant Schemes and thermal upgrading of traditional buildings. Helen also lectures design studio part-time at the Cork Centre of Architectural Education, University College Cork.

services

The practice offers a range of RIAI architectural services including the following specialised conservation services:

– Initial on-site appraisal of historic building/ protected structure

– Proposals for adaption and re-use of historic buildings

– Advise on how to improve the energy efficiency of a traditional building

– Liaising with key heritage bodies and planning department

– Feasibility studies and options appraisals

– Sketch designs proposals

– Statements of significance

– Advise on planning legislation relating to historic and protected environment

– Preparation of planning applications for historic buildings

– Maintenance plans and schedules of repair

– Grants and funding advice

– Historic building appraisals & surveys

– Architectural heritage impact assessments

– Photographic records of historic structures

– Conservation consultancy

artist

Helen Devitt augments her architectural practice and specialised area of conservation with her art practice, having completed a degree in fine art at the Crawford College of Art & Design Cork in 2014. Working intuitively through a number of media including painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture, the Irish landscape, both natural and man-made, is explored.  Her training and practice as an architect for over two decades has informed this exploration and the making of place and a sense of place is re-imagined in her work through surface and material in which a resonance of a culture and history is embedded.