Casino at Marino, Dublin

Casino at Marino is a pleasure house whose restrained exterior conceals a remarkably intricate building. Designed by William Chambers for James Caulfeild, it began in 1757 and was completed around 1775. Although Chambers created the design, he never saw the finished structure in person.

Its outward appearance suggests a single room, yet the building contains sixteen rooms spread across three floors. Look at the columns surrounding the structure: four are hollow, and each carries rainwater through a hanging chain. The roof urns are not merely decorative either; they function as chimneys.

The plan forms a Greek Cross, with columns framing each projecting elevation. Inside, curved window glass disguises the divisions between rooms, preserving the illusion of simplicity. This national monument is also a rare surviving piece of the Charlemont estate, whose original grounds included gardens, water features and tunnels.