Madam, - Eoin Dillon's colourful command of metaphor (November 5th) may inadvertently imply that a Lithuanian crematorium could not a thing of beauty be! However, his contribution to a debate about the standard of Irish architecture is to be welcomed, just as the participation of tens of thousands of citizens in the recent "open days" organised by the Irish Architectural Foundation was a welcome demonstration of the huge, repressed hunger that exists for engagement with architecture and standards of architecture.My letter of November 3rd was a call for a pause for celebration for Grafton Architects, who incidentally designed some very fine buildings here. Any suggestion that my offering was an apologia for mediocrity or poor standards is misplaced.The quality of any individual building is...
PATRICK MURPHY, director of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), remembers breaking into its gallery on Dublin's Ely Place in the early 1980s when the building was a concrete hulk "just to look at the spaces inside because they were so great".Property tycoon Matt Gallagher had agreed to build a new gallery for the RHA before his untimely death in 1974, but his son, Patrick Gallagher, an even bigger tycoon until his empire collapsed in 1982, used it as a storage area for building equipment.It wasn't until 1988 that the building - designed by Raymond McGrath, principal architect at the Office of Public Works - was finally opened as the RHA Gallagher Gallery, having been finished by Arthur Gibney, a leading member of the academy.It never worked, however. The main entrance was at its southern...
When people are in trouble they tend to turn to someone with experience of a problem and so when a builder who has spent 48 years in the business, Kevin Kelly, spoke about the downturn in his acceptance speech for the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Bank of Ireland Opus Awards, assembled architects were all ears.The downturn was not a surprise, he said: None of us expected the boom to continue but we were surprised at the suddenness, said the former MD of John Sisk and Son and chairman of Treasury Holdings.Typically the building sector saw two to three years of growth followed by two to three fallow years, he said. The difference this time, then, was that the boom lasted for 15 years. "I think the good times will never come back to that degree," said Kelly. He implored the Government...
DUBLIN-BASED Grafton Architects, run by Shelley McNamara and Yvonne Farrell, have scooped the first World Building of the Year award at the inaugural World Festival of Architecture for their new faculty building at Bocconi University in Milan.The awards are the biggest and most wide-ranging architectural awards programme in the world, designed to "celebrate the work, concerns and aspirations of the international architectural community" according to its director, Paul Finch.At a time when many architectural practices in Ireland - including Grafton - have been laying off staff due to the downturn in the building industry, the news from the festival in Barcelona was particularly welcome.A total of 224 buildings in 17 categories from 43 countries made it on to the shortlist. Grafton had...
THE NEW €33 million Wexford Opera House was formally opened by Taoiseach Brian Cowen last night.He described the event as “a wonderful occasion in the history of the town and Wexford Festival Opera”. The festival, he said, was not only “one of Ireland’s most important cultural events,” but also “one of the most special opera festivals in the world”.The new “landmark structure,” he said, will provide “a state-of-the-art opera house and a centre of cultural and artistic activity, worthy of the festival.” He praised the early decision by the Wexford festival board to keep the event’s home in the centre of the town, “in its rightful place at the heart of Wexford”.And he suggested that although the new opera house is four-and-a-half times bigger than the old...
As many as one-third of the 3,000 architects employed in Ireland could be out of work by the end of the year because of the downturn in the construction sector in Ireland and Britain, according to senior industry sources.Seán O’Laoire, founding director of Murray O’Laoire Architects and president of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI), said anecdotal evidence suggested that very significant redundancies were occurring in the sector.H e said that about 70 per cent of architecture firms in the country would normally employ about ten people each, but many of these had now reduced their staff to about three people.O’Laoire said he was also aware of larger firms that had laid off between 20 and 30 people.The trend had been progressive for the last year, he said, but...
THE GOVERNMENT is being urged to take a much more pro-active approach to architecture by appointing a State architect to advise on policy and permitting local authorities to hire their own architects.A draft new policy on architecture, prepared by an advisory group set up by Minister for the Environment John Gormley, is being circulated this week to various departments for comment, prior to a final version going to the Cabinet before Christmas.The draft seen by The Irish Times sets out more than 60 actions to be taken in the period 2009-2015 to strengthen the State's policy in this area. It would replace Action on Architecture, which was adopted in 2002 but not implemented in many respects."A new policy is required because the context for environmental provision has been altered in a...
One thing is certain, people in Ireland care deeply and passionately about their built environment. The demise in local character of our cities, towns and villages; concerns over energy security and the need to change the way we live and build; the desire to access more information on architecture; and a sense of exclusion from decision making - these were just some of the issues vigorously debated in a series of nationwide public consultations that took place in May and June. Conversations about Architecture were commissioned by the Department of the Environment and organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation to coincide with the current development of a new Policy on Architecture.The Policy is being developed by the Department, overseen by a Steering Committee appointed by Minister...
DESIGN: SLEEPING ON scaffolding, mopping out shower blocks , and building a bird hide from bales of straw are not quite the activities that one associates with an architectural career.However, several hundred students are challenging their own perceptions about their professional role, as well as testing their constitutions, as they transform the village of Letterfrack into one large architectural exhibition."We know that some people doubted us when we told them that Diamond Hill was right behind us," Sean Feeney, director of the European Architecture Students' Assembly, laughs."As for the Inagh valley, you could barely see it in the blanket of cloud and sheets of rain when we were coming through by coach."The 360 participants from across Europe and Latin America are holding their annual...
A NEW €20m theatre will light up during performances, using technology featured at this year's Olympics in Beijing.The outer walls of the 600-seater Ryan Maynooth Centre in Co Kildare, pictured left in an artist's impression, will be illuminated in red and be seen for miles around.Dublin-based Smith and Kennedy won the contract to design the project, which will use the ground-breaking ETFE foil technology. ETFE technology was used in the design of Beijing National Aquatics Centre. Architect Joe Kennedy said: "The theatre building will turn red when the theatre is in use, signalling to the community that something is happening. This will allow the theatre to communicate with its public through projection."Construction is due to begin next year on the facility, which includes a 600-seat...
A HOUSE in Killiney designed by O'Donnell and Tuomey Architects, and a bridge at the University of Limerick by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, each won RIBA European Awards this year. They are the two Irish projects to do so.The Sleeping Giant house in Killiney, Co Dublin has already won awards in Ireland. RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) said the organically formed house on a spectacular site overlooking the sea introduced "to a domestic context a contemporary aesthetic more common in major public buildings . . . the apparent randomness of the shapes results from an unusually relaxed approach from architects for whom subtle control is more typical".The bridge at the University of Limerick is also organic in shape and "appears to grow out of the landscape", said the judges. The...
“The challenge of history is to recover the past and introduce it to the present” - said John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, at the annual RIAI Irish Architecture Awards at the CHQ, IFSC, Dublin Docklands.“In the surroundings of the beautifully restored CHQ, it is easy to see how the past and the present can live easily together if we give enough attention to conservation and clever design” - the Minister added.“Achieving the ambitious targets for energy efficiency in all our buildings will present challenges to the construction industry. The signs are most encouraging that industry - more and more - accepts the commercial benefits of moving with us on this reform process. We look forward to continuing the journey with them over the next...
The new Dublin City Architect, Ali Grehan, wants to make the city more people friendly, writes Emma CullinanIN JUST eight years Ali Grehan has gone from joining Ballymun Regeneration as an architect to becoming Dublin City Architect, a job she took up this week. I put it to her that her rise has been swift. "Meteoric?" she asks."I had valuable experience in both the public and private sector and I think that was recognised but I also think what swung it was my love of Dublin and because I live in the city centre I see how things work and what can be done that is within reach."Her appointment came as a surprise to some in the architecture world, as there were those who had spent longer in the public sector and who seemed positioned to take the job. The experience Grehan talks about...
Sean O'Laoire aims to stir public debate about architecture and planning as the RIAI's new president, writes Frank McDonald , Environment EditorFORTY years ago, Sean O'Laoire was one of the leaders - along with the likes of Ruairi Quinn and Duncan Stewart - of the first student revolt in Ireland when architecture students occupied their school at UCD in Earlsfort Terrace, and ultimately got rid of its head, the late Desmond FitzGerald.As O'Laoire recalls, there were real fears that the school would lose its recognition by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) - something that was very valuable at a time when so many had to go abroad to work. But it was the wider issues of architecture and society that interested him.As the new president of the Royal Institute of the Architects...
Dublin architects Gilroy McMahon have been appointed to redevelop Dublin's Liberty Hall, the headquarters of trade union SIPTU and the tallest building in the city, at 16-storeys over basement.The current building on Eden Quay, Dublin 1, is due to be demolished and the union hopes to build a little higher to retain its landmark status. The Ulster Bank complex across the Liffey from it is nearly as tall; along the river to the west is the proposed Heuston Tower and to the east is the U2 Tower which are both aiming for 32 storeys.More than 30 architectural practices across Europe applied to work on the redevelopment. "We didn't invite architects to enter a competition for the design but asked them to express interest," says Tony Walsh, head of property at SIPTU."We wanted to find an...
Architects Carr Cotter and Naessens have won a design competition to build the new €35 million public library in Dún Laoghaire. Set in Moran Park, the 8,000sq m (86,111sq ft) library and its neighbouring park, pond and bowling green will provide a link between the town and the sea."The park is a way through from one part of Dún Laoghaire to another and it is important that people see it as public space," says Louise Cotter, who established Cork/Limerick-based Carr Cotter Naessens in 2001 with husband David Naessens and Séamus Carr.As well as having lending and reference facilities, the library will include performance spaces, an art gallery, music library with practise rooms, a bookshop and cafe. A reading room and youth area will be on the top floor where a large window will offer...
LIMERICK, one of the oldest cities in Ireland, has no buildings of "international interest", according to an inventory of architectural heritage drawn up by the Department of the Environment.The majority of the city's 700-plus buildings, earmarked as protected structures, were solely of "regional importance".Details of the inventory for Limerick city were read out at a meeting of the local Special Policy Committee (SPC) for Economic Development and Planning.The city's senior planner Dick Tobin said the Environment Minister wrote to the. local authority last April recommending" 732 buildings.The Treaty of Limerick, he said, was one of the most significant historical events to occur in Ireland and, accordingly, the Treaty Stone on which the treaty was signed shouldn't be excluded."I would...
The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Séamus Brennan T.D., has announced that that an International Design Competition will be held over the coming months to select a design for the new National Theatre (the Abbey) to be built in the Dublin Dockland's at George's Dock.Minister Brennan said that, when completed, the new waterside building will give Dublin an iconic and dynamic structure reflecting the city's growing reputation as a global capital of culture and creativity.Minister Brennan also unveiled the 13 members of the jury for the International Design Competition that includes architects from Ireland, Great Britain and Holland with vast experience of - and involvement in - high-profile design projects, as well as eminent figures from the theatrical world with many years'...
The Government's architecture policy is to be reviewed, with more emphasis on sustainable development and urban design, Minister for the Environment John Gormley announced yesterday.Speaking at the launch of the Irish Architecture Foundation's Open House Dublin 2007, which allows the public to visit a diverse range of buildings this weekend, he said that it was important not only to recognise the social and cultural importance of architecture, but also the changing nature of issues relating to the built environment.The new policy would continue to encourage and support high-quality, modern architecture and incorporate architectural heritage in a "holistic, integrated manner", as well as developing an a plan that would promote more public awareness of these areas.The Minister said that in...
INTERNATIONAL architects will be asked to design the new Abbey Theatre on George's Dock in Dublin city centre.Arts Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday appointed a 13-member jury which will choose the final design after an international architectural competition begins this month. This means the national theatres's move from its current home on Lower Abbey Street will finally go ahead.Yesterday the minister said the new Abbey on the George's Dock site would be the "centrepiece of a new wave of cultural, social and economic amenities" in the Docklands."I am confident that when the international design competition is complete we will have a world-class design for a new iconic landmark building for the city," he said."It must be a design that reflects and embraces the great surges in creativity...
he Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paddy Bourke, has announced details of the Irish Architecture Foundation's Open house Dublin 2007 programme.This year's weekend, the second ever such event, will take place from Friday October 19th to Sunday October 21st 2007.Open House Dublin 2007 is a free event - inviting Dublin's citizens to explore their city's architecture through building visits and walking tours over the weekend, many led by architects and designers.Details of close to 80 events and tours - on foot, by bicycle and even by water - of sumptuous historic interiors, cutting-edge contemporary architecture, iconic structures, exquisitely designed private residences and landmark public buildings were unveiled at the programme launch, attended by building owners, architects and volunteers as well...
FORMER architect David Grant was yesterday ordered to demolish an unauthorised extension to his Dublin 4 home.Mr Grant did not appear in Dublin District Court yesterday and was not represented. The court heard he built a two-storey extension at the rear of his Haddington Road home without permission.An application to have it declared exempted development was rejected. He was served with an enforcement notice requiring its removal but as of last Tuesday, it was still in place.Judge Anthony J Halpin ordered that the structure be removed within a month and fined Mr Grant €1,500.© Irish...
A FORMER architect whose business was wiped out after he was featured in a television expose yesterday pleaded guilty to allowing dangerous buildings to be used as a hostel for 170 people, including children.David Grant has had two-and-a-half years to rectify serious fire safety defects in the 250-year-old Georgian buildings at 7-10 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin District Court heard. They are let out in 44 units to 170 people and bring in €30,000 a month in rental income.Mr Grant (56), Haddington Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, is to be given a few more weeks to carry out works to make the buildings safe. These include replacing inadequate fire doors, inadequate emergency lighting and providing proper waste storage.After viewing pictures of bunk-bed style accommodation, in which at least two...
International award wining architect Christoph Ingenhoven from Dusseldorf, Germany, has been selected as architect for the massive 13 hectare Gateway project on the UCD campus at Belfield, Dublin.Ingenhoven Architects were chosen after an international competition that drew interest from 62 firms from across the globe. The winning design was viewed and approved by the university's Governing Authority.The firm is best known for its new headquarters for Lufthansa in Frankfurt and the new European Investment Bank headquarters, which is currently under construction in Luxemburg."We are delighted with the outcome of the competition" - said UCD President, Dr Hugh Brady. "The creativity of the design from Christoph Ingenhoven's team meets the vision we set out to create - a precinct of modern...
The Nurse Education Building, Waterford Institute of Technology received the award fot the Best Sustainable Project at the the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) annual Architecture Awards 2007.There were nine winning projects - eight of which were presented with awards by Dublin's City Manager, John Tierney. The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D. presented the award for Best Sustainability Project.RTE broadcaster Ryan Tubridy hosted the Awards at a ceremony in the offices of the RIAI on Merrion...
MOTORISTS stuck on the M50 at 6pm could be forgiven for missing the fact that they are slowly inching their way through what could become an area of great architectural esteem.The same goes for the landfill site at Dunsink in north county Dublin. Merely a dump? No, of course not, it is an area which screams future development and possibility.Both the M50 and Dunsink will form part of the Irish entry to an international architecture festival in Lisbon about urban spaces and how they can be improved through appropriate buildings.With a theme of 'Urban Void', Ireland is one of 11 countries which has been invited to exhibit at the inaugural Lisbon Architecture Triennale.As part of the Irish entry to the exhibition, Grafton Architects will look at the Dunsink landfill and how the area might be...