63 Ballydorn Road, Ballydorn, Killinchy, Newtownards, Co Down, BT23 6QB

Set on a rise overlooking Sketrick Island, this mainly single storey International Style house of 1935 was built and later extended to designs by Philip Bell for the present owner. An extension which was added to the south side in the early 1950’s and taken along with the garage block, the whole ensemble now has a somewhat rambling, appearance. The main entrance is located on the NW side below a small balcony which is supported on an anodised metal stanchion. The house is finished in rough cast render and still retains many or its original steel windows, although some of these has been replaced fairly recently. External corners to the dining room are the library were curved and were finished with window frames with radiused glass. Unfortunately theses are now replaced with inappropriate timber windows. The eaves are finished with a slight overhang (approximately 150mm). In comparison to Bell’s other designs for the near-by yacht club these might be considered to be flush. The 1952 extension to the south contains two bedrooms and a library. In addition a glazed porch/conservatory was added. Both bedrooms open directly on to a small terrace which is flanked by shaped screen walls. To the west of the main entrance is a small outhouse. This was the original farmhouse and is now used to store garden implements. An over sailing beam connects the garage physically and more importantly visually to the main house. It would appear that the house was originally finished in rough cast render rather than smooth stucco which would be more common for International Style buildings. Could it be that Philip Bell sought to give his interpretation of the Modern Movement a somewhat Irish flavour?