Home Conservation Design Clinic

Your Home Conservation Design Solution

  • O'Neill Architecture Conservation Design Clinic

After carrying out a dimensional survey and the assessment of the condition of your old home with you and working out its potential and constraints, and your needs and vision, I will then sit down to develop what we discussed into your building brief and floor plans which I sketch to scale.

The sketch-to-scale and build-brief process takes on board any feedback additional to what we discussed and addresses any questions you might have about the build and the build process.

At this clinic I will also provide you with a work plan that you can use to help deliver your dream house, and to maximise your budget.

In some instances a property, or part of a property, is a protected structure and a Conservation Report is required before any building work can take place. And An architect accredited in conservation may have to be engaged for the duration of the build. During a Conservation Design Clinic for such a dwelling I identify for my clients what their options are, and how to go about getting a Conservation Report. As I am an architect accredited in conservation, I can prepare a Conservation Report for protected structures, and then provide full architectural services, but this is entirely separate to the Conservation Design Clinic. Engaging me for these services is entirely at the discretion of my Conservation Design Clinic clients, no hard sell or such shenanigans.

I do offer all Conservation Design Clinic clients a follow up clinic during which I can provide advice on the old building methods and where to get the natural materials required for your conservation build. As well as advise on courses if you want to do at least some of the work yourself.

My approach is to give my clients the information and advice they need to see their old house become their dream home at the end of a building process which they can take full ownership of.

We found Patti very insightful, knowledgeable and helpful. She helped us choose a design for our 1900's farm house revamp bringing together modern twist while still maintaining the character and personality of the house. Thanks again for your design really appreciate it.

Brian & Claire, Co. Limerick


The online design clinic experience worked as well for me and I would recommend it as an alternative to a home visit. I shared photos and measurements beforehand as well as the general scope of my extension needs and ideas.
The first part of our discussion was based on my wishlist for my extension and how I intended to use the space, and talking online about this was very straightforward. When it came to putting ideas down on paper, I did feel that this would be more challenging to do online, but by doing a screenshare Patti was easily able to sketch and talk me through different options.
At the end of our session (which we split into two segments to accommodate a break from the laptop), I came away with a clear idea of how my new space should look and the next day Patti shared drawings based on our clinic discussion that I can now take to builders for cost estimates.

Linda, Limerick City

Patti had the ability to transform our family needs into a house extension design that surpassed our expectations. She skilfully integrated it to our existing home, maximising the use of light and space. It was a positive and creative experience working with Patti and would highly recommend her for residential renovation projects.

Gillian, Co. Tipperary

I used the Design Clinic service and it was excellent. I wanted a new layout for my kitchen and my husband wanted an extension to maximise the view. Patti came up with an excellent alternative which we are both extremely happy with, without having to add on an extension. She also stayed with us longer than she was supposed to and it was no issue at all. Excellent service, highly recommend Patti!

Karen, Co. Tipperary

Our home had a couple of problems, light and a small kitchen and the Design Clinic helped us to focus on what was needed in order to solve these problems. After a couple of years of imagining different permutations / re-jigging rooms the consultation clarified what needed to be done and what works in our house. Thank you to Patti who showed patience and imagination.

Lynn, Limerick

We had our Design Clinic conducted over Skype due to Covid 19. Patti really captured what we were looking to achieve and how best we could integrate this into our home. We didn’t lose any of the value of Patti’s brilliant Design Clinic concept, we just didn’t get to meet her in person! Our end product design is exactly what we need. Many thanks Patti.

Julie and Zenia, Co. Cork

I have been showing the outcome plan drawing of the Design Clinic to everyone and my enthusiasm is carrying it. They're very excited in the heel of the hunt to see me moving forward. Our Design Clinic session was fantastic – I didn't know I could love the house as much as I do. I looked at it as an expense and something I must do whereas I feel now that I have a golden opportunity to get to do this work. I'm dreaming of my Galtee Mountains view.

John, Co. Limerick

We loved the process. It was so interesting and useful. Patti really respected the human and structural story of the house.  The Design Clinic gave us the time to express our feelings about the project and to air our concerns too.  We loved her ideas/solutions for the house and were delighted to have had her expertise to hand. We hope to use the natural materials so the house can breathe again.  We'll see how we get on ... Patti is making a such a contribution; it was a pleasure to work with her.

Maighread & Liam, Co. Tipperary

Thank you so much for all your advice, expertise and knowledge regarding the design and conservation of my 100 year old cottage. You have given me great insight into the conservation work that needs to be done. The design and lay out is fantastic- can’t wait to get started!

Aoife, Co. Clare

Initially we thought a design clinic consultation seemed like a lot of time but we were so surprised the time flew by as Patti turned what we thought was a very straightforward extension plan in to a much more interesting design. She had loads of different ideas and really made the extension flow from the existing house. We had two design clinic sessions with Patti and the builder worked from her drawings. We are delighted with the outcome and would certainly not have the beautiful bright and spacious family room/kitchen we enjoy today were it not for Patti’s ideas, design and attention to detail. We have already recommended Patti to family members and friends.

Maeve & Darragh, Co. Tipperary

How can we make the house work for us? Should we downsize? We all have blind spots yet we had a notion of what we wanted. When you embark on a building project it evolves, you allow time for it to digest and then change. Our two Design Clinics with Patti illuminated the blind spots and in the new layout we use all the spaces.

We have great satisfaction of how Patti maximises the use of the sun from early in the morning till late in the evening, which saves on our fuel bills and is good for the environment. Mostly, however, there is a sense of well being from living in a house where the sun is going through all day. We would never had envisioned the home that we have without Patti's professional advice. Overall we found the service superb.

Dorothy & Peter, Co. Tipperary

I'm glad I found Patti on the internet and I'm glad it was her going through the process with me online.

Vivienne, Limerick City

Thank you for the visit, the design and the drawings. We were thrilled with the outcome of our meeting and you've given us some excellent ideas. You've completely changed our view of the house for the better and we really appreciate it. Barbara & Bryan, Co. Clare

Barbara & Bryan, Co. Clare

The one day design clinic is a beneficial start, assisting  with jump-starting the process of renovating through in depth brainstorming and identifying the potential of a property. After lengthy discussions  with Patti, clarity in terms of needs, wants and necessities regarding  living and the function of a space are uncovered, explored and mapped out on a floor plan. Regardless of whether you are ready to renovate, or are only in the possibilities stage, the clinic provides inspiration and motivation to move forward.

Kathleen, Co. Clare

We are thrilled to see our potential new home for the first time. Patti managed to fulfill all of our demands within the narrow scope we gave her and it was very enjoyable to watch her work.

Eadaoin & David, Co. Tipperary

Patti came to us highly recommended and we can see why!

We had discussed altering our home and had come up with lots of ideas, but we needed some clarity in the form of expert advice. Patti listened to our requirements, assessed the house and came up with lots of ideas, that were both practical and creative. At the end of the day Patti left us with a plan that was exactly what we were hoping for!  We are thrilled with the outcome and would highly recommend Patti to anyone seeking to improve their home.

Mick & Anne, Co. Limerick

We really feel we got a lot out of the day and we are also very happy with a new sense of flow and connection. We would be very happy to recommend Patti's work.

Kerry & David, Co. Dublin

Thanks to Patti’s time and patience I now have a design for an old stone barn which I will restore and turn into my home.
We discussed at length what I wanted and what I needed. This process was not easy for me but with Patti’s patience and encouragement and at the end of a very long day I had a plan I really liked.
Thank you sincerely Patti.

Joan Co. Cork

The Design Clinic was the prefect way for us to create a plan for the layout of our home.  We got to see our home through an experts eye, and got insights we had not considered. It was amazing to see the plan come together over a few hours...throughout the day Patti assured us that the answers were there, and that we would get to a completed plan... and her confidence in her process is deserved. We were able to take the time to discuss every idea and concern and had plans we were really satisfied with by the end of the day. In fact it was a really enjoyable day.

Lisa and Con, Co. Cork

I needed to downsize the existing plans for the renovation to my cottage. I found Patti's webpage and liked the idea of a Design Clinic. Patti came onsite and looked at my existing plans; Patti got me to focus on what I wanted from the cottage and how I would live in the space. I was downsizing and family were moving on to start their own journey in life. The meeting with Patti was well worth it, I used some of her suggestions in redesigning my extension, and now 4 years later I am living in the house and love it. Thanks Patti

Ann Marie Kennedy, Co. Limerick