House on a Beach
House on a Beach
A cross-border climate action project, led by Trinity College Dublin
“House on the Beach” is a cross-border climate action project, led by Trinity College Dublin to illustrate the urgency of the climate challenge. The project will place a sculpture of a house made from wood in 2 coastal locations – north & south of Ireland –in the Summer of 2025. The sculpture is a metaphor for our home - the houses we live in, the environment we live in and our planet – all of these are fragile and under urgent threat from sea level rise, forest fires, coastal erosions and climate change. We need to consider the way we build and the materials and energy we use.
Funding and team
• Funding was awarded by Creative Ireland, through the Creative Climate Action fund and is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
• The team comprises lead artist Nina McGowan; Gawain Morrison from Brink! in Belfast and Trinity College Dublin.
What is it about and why?
● The aim is to create an emotional connection between people and the consequences of climate change.
● Each day the sea comes and partially covers the charred wood sculpture, and each day it reappears from the water as the tide retreats. People will visibly see the house flooding, creating an emotional connection about the implications of sea levels rising.
● It is about our home – the houses we live in, the environment we live in and our planet – all of these are fragile and under urgent threat from forest fires, sea level rise, coastal erosions and climate change.
● The art piece will be designed to stimulate discussion about these issues and the type of behaviour and systems changes required by individuals and organisations.
● We want people to contribute to the conversation - and learn, discuss and take action, strengthening the local community and initiatives that are already tackling the climate change challenges.
Materials and Design
● Our house will be built using charred Irish hardwood –wood which will be sourced from sustainably managed forests.
● We are using burnt wood as a symbol for the burning of the planet due to climate change
● This black house represents our sense of loss or grief – and while this is a troubled object, it will be aesthetically beautiful.
● The house is not only burnt but also under water – thus the art piece represents our worst possible future if we don’t act.
● The beach location allows visitors time to reflect away from any immediate threat - to reflect on forest fires, sea levels rising and flooding in our cities and towns.
● We are expecting people to experience a sense of shock and grief and then ask them to pay attention and act – to join environmental heroes in their community and inspire them to make a change in their lives.
● Wood is a renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested and managed. It can sequester carbon stored in the wood for the structure’s life, potentially reducing the building’s carbon footprint.
● We will deliver this project using a life cycle assessment approach – from where we source the materials to the fabrication, install and end-of-life of the structure.
Community engagement
● Alongside the house installations, there will be public workshops from Spring 2025 through the Summer – inviting residents, local and relevant community groups e.g. swimming, water sports; students, industry, political and others to participate.
● There will be online engagement, with our website as a digital calling card for advertising key project events, as well as relevant community climate events. Professional imagery, video, podcasts with academics, climate activists and political figures will also drive engagement.