1917 – Second Premiated Entry for NUI Senate House, Dublin

Second placed entry for a new office building and university senate for the National University of Ireland. The site was on the corner of Merrion Square at Fitzwilliam and Mount Streets. Received a premium of £100.

Described in their submission by the architects:
“…. the offices have been grouped at the Fitzwilliam-street or north-west end of the site, & separate entrance being provided. This entrance can be placed in Fitzwilliam-street, if desired, without materially altering the plan. The staircase and lift are convenient to the entrance and give ready access to the various offices situated on the upper floors.

The James’s-street end of the site is devoted-to the small hall, entrance hall, cloak rooms and lavatories’ and a crush hall, which serves both large and small halls, the senate room being situated on the first floor. The centre, between the pavilions, provides, on the ground floor, the professors and examiners’ room, two rooms for the registrar, and a large office; and, on the upper floor. the suite of rooms for the use of the senate. The corridor giving access to the ground floor rooms and the large hall is lighted by the windows in the crush hall, glazed panels in the floors, and the staircase windows.

The large examination hall is so placed that no costly external treatment is necessary, as it is entirely screened by the main building. The internal treatment is simple, and the proportions dignified.

The required number of storerooms is provided in the basement, and also the caretaker’s apartments. These storerooms may appear to be on the large side, with a consequent increase in the cube, but it should be noted that, whether the space enclosed is used or not, the walls would have to be carried down to the depth shown, as the ground is already excavated. ‘The strong room has also been placed in the basement, and direct communication from the registrar’s office can be provided if desired. The heating chamber and flue from same are outside the main building, and access to the coal stores is provided from the laneway. A goods entrance and hoist are also provided at the James’s-street end of the site….

….For the elevations a brick and stone”treatment has been adopted. The facing generally to be small red-facing bricks with dressings of local granite. The basement up to the street level to be stock brick cemented. A special effort has been made to harmonise the new buildings with the adjoining houses and at the same time to. mark its distinctive character.”