4 x 2

2009-12-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Harbour Competition
Galway

Completion Date: n/a

Galway is a horizontal city. Few buildings are over three storeys in height, and the ground plane is mostly level. The site is a solid plinth which has a continuous datum line that bleeds into the city. A relationship exists between the site and the surrounding quayside, which is a strong visual connection. It is enhanced by the knowledge that one is on the same level wherever one stands on the quays, forming a spatial democracy. The power of this connection is driven by the physical disconnection created by the water. And yet, despite this fractured connection, because of the horizontal nature of the site there is still a shared sense of experience.

We feel that this experience is a very powerful one, and did not wish to dilute it but rather emphasise this extreme datum line. Therefore, we chose to retain the ‘plinth-like’ nature of the site, inhabiting it with protected external spaces to animate it, giving the Docks a new meaning within Galway City as a place to enter as well as walk on, defining the Docks for the city and reconnecting it.

Like the bogs of Connemara, where peat continues to be cut from the earth to provide energy for local communities, we have chosen to cut trenches into the earth of the site to infuse it with energy for the city. By embedding the proposal into the site, by adopting a primitive universal vocabulary, we are grounding the building into its context and connecting to something established, something rooted within the city, expressing the architecture as archaeology. This sense of relating to the historical gives the user the experience of discovery. Our primary material is the substance of the plinth.

Donoghue Corbett Architects

2009-12-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

7

Transition

Northern Europe

Completion Date: N/a

A docklands area in a prominent city in Northern Europe is the site for this competition entry.

The scheme attempts to bring Revitalization to this under developed area of the city on two distinct levels. These are the permission of flexibility in the creation of individual dwellings within the area and a new public space that will reinforce this area as a desirable area to live, work and play.

This flexibility we propose by building blocks that contain individual residential modules which can function as an individual unit or a series of multiples to create different dwelling types. This will give a somewhat infinite flexibility to each of the blocks.

The dwelling concept for the study area and the site comes from the brief which allows for apartments for all kinds of people. This will create a more diverse social mix within the area and our desire was to allow both the single person and the family unit to remain within the area while having an option as to the type of dwelling they reside in. A change in circumstances could necessitate one requiring an alternative dwelling type. This could be due to an improved or worsened financial situation, co habitation, an increasing or decreasing family size among other factors. This for us implied that a level of flexibility would be required in the design of the apartments. It allowed us play with something we have been interested in for a long time which is to try and propose a type of apartment building where the limitations of many contemporary apartment buildings are avoided.

This is achieved by simply building a frame in which apartment layouts can be individually determined. The frame building is constructed as a series of modules of volume that can be purchased individually or in multiples, on the same floor or on different floors. This would allow for a great mix of dwelling types within an individual building and allow for a great level of change in the future. Single person berth type units to large family dwellings to loft style apartments would be possible within this framework. A framework like this we think may give people better options for living in the city and not having to move as their family situation changed. Modules could be purchased to afford the owner large private open spaces as opposed to being limited to the balcony provided as part of the development.

Donoghue Corbett Architects

2009-12-10T14:36:00.000-08:00

Book End, Henrietta St.
Dublin

Completion Date: N/A

This project was an entry for an ideas competition for a strategic site on Henrietta St., one of Dublin’s earliest Georgian streets.

As to the use of the building we wanted to make a structure as versatile as the other Georgian structures on the street and Georgian spaces in general. We propose the same for the new structure which we propose can be adapted for a number of uses be it residential, office or cultural use. We feel it could also be used to accommodate the additional requirements of Na Píobairí Uilleann should this be the longer term use for the building.

The clues to our initial concept came from the consideration of the history of No. 16 itself. The building at No. 15 was built in 1740’s by Luke Gardiner. The interesting point is the fact that in 1828 the decision was made to split No. 15 Henrietta Street into two dwellings which in the long term possibly resulted in the dereliction of No. 16 from 1927 and its ultimate demolition in 1950. This brought us to the conclusion that the new building should involve the extension and reinstatement of No. 15 as one building. The new building would echo No. 16 but be a contemporary interpretation of it. This would help anchor the new building to the street and preserve its future to prevent it falling the way of No. 16. It would also continue the parapet level of the street on this side to affirm its role in the street.

The new structure we are making will create a solid end to the street by the choice of material and the mass to void ratio and will be reflective of the gable that would have originally been No. 16. The new building is designed as a contemporary take on the Georgian space that might have been in No. 16 and in some ways is almost the spirit of this building. The rhythm of the Georgian windows in the street façade we see as being another important clue to the design of the new façade to help it anchor to the street. To this end we propose using apertures in the new façade of the same proportion as their neighbouring Georgian windows. Each of the new spaces has identifiable Georgian characteristics in volume, height and window proportion. We have moved windows from the expected and understood locations to throw new qualities to these spaces and differentiate them from traditional Georgian spaces. These windows of Georgian proportion have been twisted , turned , inverted , extruded etc.. to create an alternative experience within this type of space which is initially identifiable as Georgian but necessitates a second look to recognize the manipulation of the Georgian rhythm in 3 dimensions. This movement has been recorded in the external and internal facades.

O'Connor + Shanahan architects

2009-12-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

Station House
Patrickswell

Completed 2004

Patrickswell Station was designed by Joshua Hargrave and was completed in 1854.The Station remained in operation until 1976 after which time the building became progressively derelict. The property was subsequently purchased by an Engineering Practice in 2001 with a view to adapting the building as the practice office.

A new double height open plan office area abuts the Eastern gable wall of the original building and is constructed with a steel structural frame which fulfils two roles.

Steel columns and curved roof beams are independent from existing stone walls which allows for future removal of interventions without damage to the original building fabric. Secondly, new build elements are clearly identifiable, juxtaposed against the original forms.

A masonry rendered wall encloses the railway / reception area , echoing the original use of the platform where people awaited carriage for over a century.

External timber doors and windows have been provided to match Hargraves original drawings and matching slates used on pitched roofs.These materials while similar to original building elements are identifiable as modern interventions.

The new Limerick – Cork roadway runs parallel to the original tracks and the re-inhabited railway station is again viewed as a landmark signalling the entry point to Patrickswell village.

O'Connor + Shanahan architects

2009-12-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

Long House
Limerick

Completion Date: Autumn 2010

The site for this new sustainable private residence is located on the banks of the Mulcair River. The simple vernacular form of this private residence is intended to sit unobtrusively within the context of the existing ribbon housing development in the vicinity of Annacotty, Co. Limerick

Internally, the organisation reflects a more complex sequence of inhabited spaces of increasing scales than the simple form initially suggests; one enters the house through a small extruded concrete box, moving through the various spaces that increase in scale as one moves through the house. Within the largest and most public interior space, the living area, a raised games room ‘hangs’ above, representing another inhabited space of a private scale that engages with the public intentions of the living room yet maintains a discreet distance. The living area has wide views across the large garden, the largest space that is inhabited by the house, towards the river. A subtle view past the hearth towards the driveway and the road reminds the viewer of the route they have taken through these inhabited spaces, and connects them to the position they inhabit at the moment.

A number of factors influenced the design heavily, such as future proofing the house against possible rising water levels and increased frequency of flooding in the area near the Mulcair River by integrating the house with a protective “plinth”, and sustainable materials. The materials to be used are natural slate roof over a rendered natural-toned concrete external envelope and we are aiming our materials and details towards achieving an A3 Building Energy Rating.

Donoghue Corbett Architects

2009-12-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

Semi-D Attached
Limerick

Completion Date: 2008

An existing 1950’s semi-detached dwelling, within walking distance from Limerick city centre is re-organised and extended to meet the growing needs of a family.

The room layout on Ground Floor is turned around to create an interlinked kitchen and dining area and allow for the future expansion of the house. This in turn leads to the new one room extension of multiple function including reading area, play area and working area facilitated by a movable screen wall holding a studio space, library, toy storage and laundry area. Clerestory slit windows draw the morning light from the East above this screen. This room is twisted to invite the view of the garden into the new room. A narrow full height slit window was cut in the wall between the living room and dining room in the existing dwelling to create a subtle connection between the front and the back of the house. This screen can be closed should privacy be required in either room.

The project explores the recycling and altering of the space in a mid 20th Century building to adapt to the requirements for 21st Century living a theme recurrent in the work of the practice. The use of space on a 24 hour cycle is also considered with the moving screen, an idea which interests us greatly due to the extent of space in many buildings which sees only usage over a third of the possible time.

O'Connor + Shanahan architects

2009-12-09T05:07:00.000-08:00

Old House / New House

Co. Galway

Completion date : Summer 2010

The existing rural 1920's house was designed for a parish priest but never inhabited. The plans show this design intention quite clearly as the size and layout of the house was intended for a single person and does not support family living. The very fine external detailing and materials used reflect the social status of the priest as client. The current owners and clients approached us to effectively create a family home for them within this house.

Our first move was to design a separate element that will plug into the existing house. This element will contain the heart of the family home, which was missing from the original structure. The present outhouse will contain new timber structures to house guest accommodation and music rooms. This move enhances the external courtyard as habitable external space and reflects the original intended use as a home for the religious by suggesting the form of a cloister. We want to respect the original house as a gem, refurbishing it but making no structural modifications; all other structural interventions on the site support and enhance the house as the primary focus.

We chose to design this object as something aesthetically very different from the original house, not replicating or imitating it, cladding it in timber that will weather to grey and fade into the background. The exaggerated timber pitched roof of the new building is one element of the rhythm of pitched roofs experienced within the courtyard. The layout maximises sunlight penetration and focuses the internal spaces on the gardens and courtyards on the site.

Donoghue Corbett Architects

2009-12-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

The exhibition is located in a new building at the corner of Catherine St. and Thomas St. in Limerick city centre. It was formally opened on the 29th October 2009 by the two practices.

The opening received great support from clients, consultants, colleagues, friends and family and thanks is extended to all who joined us.

2009-12-04T05:59:00.001-08:00

2009-12-04T05:51:00.000-08:00

4 x 2 is a collaboration between 2 Limerick Practices, O'Connor + Shanahan architects and Donoghue Corbett Architects, who have come together to each exhibit 4 of their recent projects.

The work on show varies in scale and type, ranging from domestic projects and private residences to larger commercial projects and high density housing.

Both practices share an interest in buildings that inspire and challenge using an economy of means, where each project is a design led bespoke response that derives from the site and the client's brief.