Building a New Home Design Clinic

Your New Home Build Design Solution

  • O'Neill Architecture new build

After walking your site with you and working out its potential and constraints, and your needs and vision, we will then go somewhere nearby to finalize the build brief discussed on site. Away from the site we recap what we have discussed and tease out any additional requirements or considerations.

I then develop what we discussed on site into your building brief and floor plans.

At this stage of the design clinic I sketch to scale what we staked out on site – no need for preliminary sketches as everything will have been discussed on site. The sketch-to-scale and build-brief process takes on board any feedback additional to what we discussed on-site and addresses any questions you might have about the build and the building 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.

We will have one follow up clinic to develop elevations of the new home, completing the Sketch Design phase – Phase 1.

It is important to do this as a separate clinic as it allows both you as a home owner and me as an architect to ‘live’ with the site plan for a while. In my experience this breathing space always leads to greater clarity and certainty, as well as gives an opportunity to remember points of reference that will give that little extra insight for developing the elevations.

The next phase is creating a set of technical drawings of the sketch plan and sketch elevations for including in a for planning submission. These can be drawn up by an architectural technician, or you can commission me to continue working with you. Once you have these technical drawings you are ready to proceed to making a planning application for you building your new home.


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

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

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

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

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

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

If you are thinking of doing any kind of renovation work to your home or adding an extension you need to contact Patti O’Neill now. She will conduct a full review of your house and advise on what best suits your home having regard to your lifestyle. Patti will bring heat and light, sunshine and space to your home and in doing so she will ultimately save you money. She did all of this for our house for which we are immensely grateful. Patti O’Neill is a blessing to Irish Architecture especially for rural Ireland.

Bernie, Co Limerick

The consultation work was really enjoyable! Very happy with how we managed to fit in a functional, contemporary layout into a not-so-willing older cottage and delighted with how the drawings have come out; love how they've maximised the space, particularly getting full use of the end room with the mountain views! Patti is very knowledgeable, thorough, and has great respect for detail when working with older properties, which can be a difficult find in today's world. Thank you Patti.

Bobby & Tony, Co. Tipperary

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

I highly recommend Patti and her in-depth design clinic. For us, what we were originally looking for was a revised layout and extension of our old 1950s home. With Patti's skill set and creativity, what we got was a detailed plan creating optimised flow of space, increased light and maximised views. Her creativity against focus, clarity and sustainability ensured we obtained maximum effectiveness and a cohesiveness between the old and new. Patti is extremely thorough, detailed in her approach, process, design, drawings and outcome. If you are looking for an expert safe pair of hands to ensure you get the most out of your existing structure versus what you want as well as what you need, Patti is the professional you have been looking for.

Joan & Shane, Co. Tipperary

Patti has a very calm approach to design and really guided us through the process of the design clinic which was very appreciated. The design outcome looks amazing, I am actually a bit emotional that this could be our house and it will be so unique to us and our site.

Sarah & Cian, Limerick City

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

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

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

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

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

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