The Entrance

Irish people sometimes have a tendency to use the back door as the primary entrance to the home. It is one of the quirks of Irishness - perhaps inherited as habit from childhood, or perhaps sometimes it simply is more practical to use the back door because of its proximity to the kitchen or utility room. As a result, the front door becomes rarely used, reserved for welcoming unusual visitors or for formalities like dinner parties or wakes. Other Irishisms include the idea of the “good room” or the “front room”, a living room not normally used by the inhabitants, but instead reserved for special occasions. Perhaps the irony of the unlived-in living room is an indicator of pride in our homes, in keeping the home neat and presentable in case of any unexpected guests. This pride which is so prevalent is why we believe the entrance to the home is so important – it is often overlooked, but first impressions do matter.

The entrance is a critical transitional space. The front door serves as a portal between inside and out which can define a building’s character. The space immediately inside the door, be it a vestibule, porch, or directly into the hallway, is our first reprieve from the infamous Irish weather when we enter the home. The entrance also channels movement through the home, directing you subconsciously where to go.

In traditional Irish cottages, walls were often extended perpendicularly both inside and outside the front door to provide separation, acting as screens which protected from drafts and driven rain. This of course varied by locality and proximity to the sea or exposed hillsides, but this threshold space often became a lived-in space in and of itself – half-doors allowed for passive observation of children or farm animals outside, and welcoming interaction with passers-by and neighbours. The threshold has forged its own identity as a lived-in space, in the contemporary day serving as a space of greetings and goodbyes, of wrapping up and of shaking off wet boots.

Though the threshold space is often overlooked and forgotten about, we believe it plays a critical role in the day-to-day experience of not just the home, but every building. The entrance to a home should be welcoming, provide shelter and protection from the elements, and introduce the character of the home, all while ensuring security and peace of mind through conscious design choices.