As published in Beta-Plus’ Contemporary Living Yearbook 2027:
“Built in 1830 by the eminent Georgian architect Sir Thomas Deane for his own family, the house in Cork stands as an important example of the period’s urban domestic architecture. After decades of use as an office building, the property has been carefully restored to private residential use through a conservation-led project by JCA Architects, led by Haroldo Oliveira. The restoration sought to reestablish the dignity and legibility of the original Georgian structure while introducing a quiet, disciplined layer of new interventions suited to contemporary family life.

The interiors and lighting were conceived and executed under the direction of Helen Kilmartin, working in close collaboration with Oliveira and the client, who possessed a confident aesthetic. Minima developed a scheme that is intentionally minimalist, beautiful, and resolutely functional—a deliberate counterpoint to, rather than imitation of, the period envelope. The design was anchored around the B8B Italia / Maxalto collection, whose quality and timeless refinement were considered uniquely compatible with the property. Lighting by Davide Groppi, the kitchen by Porter & Jones, and pieces by Cassina, Edra, Flexform, Poltrona Frau, and Rimadesio were integrated to form a coherent and enduring whole.

The result is a restoration that neither fossilizes the past nor erases it. Instead, it allows the historic fabric to be read with clarity while accommodating a distinctly modern lifestyle with restraint and precision. The project demonstrates how rigorous conservation and contemporary minimalism can coexist in a way that intensifies—rather than compromises—the character of a Georgian house.”

Architecture: Haroldo Oliveira (JCA Architects)
Interior Design: Helen Kilmartin
Landscaping: Miriam O’Donnell
Art Curation: Nuala Fenton

Photographer: Mark Scott
Project: Residential, Contract