Adrian Duncan grew up in one such bungalow in Longford, and this upbringing has influenced much of his recent artistic and literary work. In this exhibition, sculptures derived from the physical dimensions of a bungalow subtly yet repeatedly intervene throughout the Georgian grandeur of 45 Merrion Square. The artist’s own experiences of drafting engineer drawings are reflected in new artworks placed beside a selection of key Bungalow Bliss designs and publications in the Architecture Gallery. 

A collaboration by Duncan and textile designer Olga Tierney hangs in the entrance hall while to the rear Duncan has constructed a full-scale bungalow roof structure out of timber trusses in a gentle yet poignant provocation. Curiously out of place in the middle of Dublin and miles away from any other building of its kind, it becomes apparent that the history of housing in Ireland is a long and complex one, and that familiarity with previous incarnations of building and dwelling is crucial to finding new kinships and forms of living today.

Duncan’s expansive research is further featured in his book Little Republics: The Story of Bungalow Bliss, published in late 2022 by Lilliput Press.

More information is available here.