Marlon CST provides innovative glazing solution in Irish cottage restoration project Barney's Ruins

Barney’s Ruins, an 1830s Irish cottage, was home to architect Patrick Bradley’s great-great-uncle, Bernard (“Barney”).  After over a century of abandonment, Patrick and his father restored the building to honour their ancestor. Patrick’s design features a sleek, modern cottage constructed from an old shipping container that appears to float above the ruins, blending contemporary style with history. 

The refurbished shipping container’s exterior façade features Marlon CST corrugated multiwall polycarbonate sheets, chosen for their structural strength and distinctive visual appeal. By day, the corrugated texture adds depth and interest to the façade, while the pearlescent tint—selected for its superior light diffusion—gently filters natural light through the surface. At night, the façade takes on a stunning, luminous glow. A major benefit of Marlon CST corrugated multiwall polycarbonate is its blend of strength and durability with a lightweight profile, a critical factor given the container’s cantilevered placement within the gable walls of the historic ruined cottage. Furthermore, the sheets incorporate co-extruded UV protection to shield against sun damage, enhancing durability and making them ideal for outdoor use. The result is a contemporary, functional living space that seamlessly integrates heritage architecture with innovative materials and design, delivering both striking aesthetics and practicality.

Project Name: Barney’s Ruins - www.barneysruins.com 

Photography: Joe Laverty Photography - www.joelaverty-photography.com 

Architect: Patrick Bradley Architect - www.pb-architects.com