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

63 Ballydorn Road, Ballydorn

A rare part single, part two storey International Style house built in 1934–35 to designs by Philip Bell, with a later extension added by Bell in 1952. The house is unusually complete both internally and externally, though some original steel windows have been replaced recently.

Set on a rise overlooking Sketrick Island, this mainly single storey International Style house was constructed for its original owner. The main entrance is located on the north-west side, positioned below a small balcony supported on an anodised metal stanchion. The building is finished in rough cast render, which was apparently Bell's choice rather than the smooth stucco more typical of International Style buildings, possibly reflecting his interpretation of the Modern Movement with an Irish character.

The house originally retained many of its characteristic steel windows, though some have been replaced in recent years with inappropriate timber alternatives. Most notably, the external corners to the dining room and library featured curved forms with window frames containing radiused glass, but these have been replaced. The eaves feature a slight overhang of approximately 150 millimetres.

A 1952 extension to the south side added two bedrooms and a library. A glazed porch and conservatory were also added at this time. Both new bedrooms open directly onto a small terrace flanked by shaped screen walls. A garage block was constructed as part of the extension scheme, visually and physically connected to the main house by an oversailing beam. An extension along the south side gives the whole ensemble a somewhat rambling appearance.

To the west of the main entrance stands a small outhouse, which is the original farmhouse that formerly occupied the site (shown on the 1859–60 Ordnance Survey map and latterly owned by the McCormick family). Portions of its walls have been incorporated into the present outbuildings. The current owner designed much of the interior fittings.