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The lab

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A little bit more about our studio - what we do and why we do it.

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Our story

What started off as a childhood interest in houses and sketch drawings was fanned to flame by a 4th class homework assignment to design a dream home.

This passion eventually led to one of the busiest design firms in Dublin, specialising in extensions and renovations, which gave us a huge wealth of experience and connections within the industry.

The Design Lab draws on these passions, experience and connections, to create a space for people to actually live in; to enjoy and to add value to their lives. It's not about creating a monument, but about creating a place to live in.

A place called home.

Services

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We provide a range of different services and approaches, depending on your needs and the requirements of the project. Hover over the icons below to find out more.

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Planning Approval


Assistance and coordination of the planning process to position the project for the best outcome.

Building Regulations


Understanding the legal requirements and applying them to our projects.

Masterplanning


Sometimes you can't do everything at once. We help you see the big picture to aim for in the long-term.

Landscape Design


Assistance with the design and layout of your outdoor spaces.

Professional Connections


Utilising a network of professionals to best provide the services you need.

Architectural Design


Our workflow staple. Design is what we do and who we are.

Process

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A brief walk-through of what you will experience working with us on one of our typical projects.

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Consultation >

We start with a consultation that usually happens in your home or on site. We discuss the project, identify the requirements and establish timelines so that we can prepare a fee proposal. This consultation costs €150 which is refundable against our design phase fees, should you proceed with us.

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Design >

Starting with a site survey, we take your wishlist and apply it to the existing site and structure, providing an initial concept. This is refined down to the final design through collective review and analysis. If required, any relevant planning permissions are then sought from the relevant local council.

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Tender >

The tender package is prepared by adding sufficient detail to the design proposal which, along with the engineer's structural drawings and other required documentation, is sent out to be priced by select contractors.

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Construction

Once on site, we are on hand to assist with decisions. Under the watch of the supervising engineer and in conjunction with the quantity surveyor, the project is monitored and works signed off.

The bubbly is then opened and photos taken!

People

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We are a small but growing design studio. Find out more about the faces behind the name.

Founder /
Architectural Technologist

/‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎ Eric Stilwell

Born and raised near Johannesburg, South Africa, I moved to Ireland in 1999 and have since lived in Dublin, rural Carlow and, now Dunshaughlin. I was the Lead Designer for Joe Fallon Design, an award-winning architectural practice, for six years before founding The Design Lab in 2020. 

Let’s talk

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If you feel that we'd work well together, please get in touch with details of your project. We'd love to hear from you.

Contact
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Contact

+353 85 729 0821 eric@thedesignlab.ie

Find Us

78 Fairfield Dunshaughlin Co. Meath

Note

While we make every effort to keep this website up to date, there's a whole lot of work that's not shown here. Please get in touch with us if you've any questions.

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