St. Patrick's Place wins Best Sustainable Project in the RIAI Awards 2010
22.06.2010
Author: Sheila Carney
Sheila Carney is co-lead director of our London studio. She plays a pivotal role in expanding STW’s presence in the UK market.
"Through its siting, mixed use and considered use of appropriate technologies, this inner city building invigorates a difficult site and seamlessly integrates all aspects of sustainability on a wider socio- economic scale. From re-use of an existing building, to the sourcing of local materials and the impact on the local community it serves as a model of well mannered urban redevelopment with solid environmental concerns integrated into the design." - RIAI Award Jury Citation
Located on a prominently elevated Victorian terrace to the north side of Cork City, St Patrick's Place presents a confident modern design, in harmony with surrounding heritage, avoiding a pastiche solution commonly adopted in such a context. With careful selection of materials, crafted detailing, and sympathetic proportion, it presents a well considered composition to both Wellington Road and the lower city wide context to the south.
Providing quality showroom, office and living accommodation, it includes model solutions in sustainability, and is a welcome addition to this historic part of Cork City. The development potential of the site was realised with innovative use of a car lift, providing access to a double semi basement. Articulating the structural solution with detailed stone pilasters and facia’s, a vertical rhythm is created. The main entrance is announced in composition by extending the stair core to break the parapet line, an eco of the dominant gable of the existing building to the west. The design creates a balance between the aspiration of maximised daylight to the modern working environment, and that of the punched brick facades of the adjacent architecture.
