DMA- Architects

25/08/2026

Serene scenes with some final touches at our Skelligs Retreat project 🤩

DMA

03/08/2026

Many of you would have seen some changes to Planning Rules and Regulations, particularly in terrms of exemptions this past week when it comes to planning permission around the home.

If you are thinking of making a change here's what it might mean for you:

Build a Garden Home — No Full Planning Permission Needed
A brand-new exemption (Class 3A) lets homeowners build a standalone garden dwelling of 32–45m² for family use — think granny flats or space for adult kids — without going through the full planning process. There are rules around height, boundary setbacks, and notifying your local authority, but for the right site, this is a genuine game-changer for multigenerational living.

More Room to Extend and Store
Rear single-storey extensions have jumped from 40m² to 45m², non-habitable garden buildings (sheds, home offices, gyms) now go up to 30m², and there's a new dedicated exemption for bike and bin storage. Small increases, big impact on what you can achieve without red tape.

Split Your House, Convert Your Attic
You can now subdivide an existing home into two self-contained units within the same footprint, and there's clearer scope for dormer conversions and rooflights — opening up options for extra income, extended family, or simply more living space.

A quick note: planning exemption doesn't mean Building Control exemption. Structures still need to meet full Technical Guidance Standards, and you'll need an Architect's Certificate of Compliance down the line if you ever sell.

Thinking about what this could mean for your own home? We'd love to hear what you're hoping to achieve — get in touch with the DMA Architects team and let's talk it through. 😁

DMA

11/07/2026

Amazing view of the day thats in it! Breakers Beach House, Ballybunion 🤩

19/05/2026

https://homeandstyle.ie/home-improvements/kerry-homestead-home-family/

Wonderful to have one of our renovation / extention projects here in Co.Kerry as the feature project on Home & Style magazine...

Be sure to have a look and let us know what you think! 😁🤩

DMA

Design : DMA Architects
Contractor : Leahy Construction Ltd.
Interiors : Sea Salt Coastal Living - www.seasalt.ie
Joinery : Somers Creative Joinery - Tralee
Windows : Weathermaster Kerry
Photography : Mark o'Sullivan Photography - https://markosullivanphotography.com/

Sentimental journey home: Extending the family's original Kerry cottage has created a place big enough for all the family to gather and drop an emotional anchor at the homestead.

10/04/2026

A first for DMA! 🤗

A house design set on the north-western coast of France, along an open but sheltered coastal landscape

We first worked with these clients all the way back in 2017 here in Co.Kerry, so when the opportunity came to work together on a project like this for a new stage of life we couldn’t say no… 🤗

Working alongside a local solicitor and engineer in France, we developed a home that carries the design approach we believe in into a very different setting — shaped by the coast, the climate, and the inside / outside lifestyle our clients are searching for… Our goal was for spaces to be open and to flow naturally, with constant connection back out to the landscape and the views beyond

At the same time, the house needed to respond to a new stage of life for our clients — a place to spend time with family, to come and go throughout the year, and to do so without unnecessary upkeep

Given the somewhat exposed coastal setting, the material palette was kept simple but robust

Raw finishes of Coreten steel and exposed concrete that will weather and ultimately settle into the rawness of the landscape over time

It’s been a really enjoyable process to bring a project like this to life in a new context 🥰

DMA