Cork Architecture: Interesting Lesser Knowns

I tend to disagree with you on that Bob. I’m the first to criticise the mundane-ness of much of Cork’s structures – there are too many, too prominent. Thankfully, things are slowly starting to change – but if you do look close, there are a few interesting endeavours – usually, unfortunately, too small to notice.

This thread isn’t neccessarily out to reveal the ‘prettiest’ – just interesting designs.

Plans are in tow (budget pending) for the construction of a 5-storey private hospital and extended radiology department w/ permanent MRI Unit between Sheare’s Street and Thomas Street. A new 6-storey multi-storey car park, offices, urology department and Cork Cancer Research Clinic is planned for the newly purchased Irish Distillers site across the River Lee (bought for 20m euros jointly with UCC). A 4m euro new A&E was scheduled for construction under the Lee View Block last October 2004, but fiscal conditions have restricted this ploughing ahead.

The Lee View Block houses a geriatric ward at Ground Floor, Psychiatric Ward on the 1st Floor, Male & Female Medical Wards on 2nd, Male & Female Surgical Wards at 3 and both Clincal Pharmacology and Lab units on the 4th floor. Originally, the building was envisioned as a perfect square – with four sides – but this vision was diminish due to financial and planning restrictions. A 2-storey ‘sky-bridge’ links the new block with the older Catherine McCauley block of the hospital across Henry Street. This bridge affords genuinely spectacular views down along the Lee, with the Distillery Fields to the North – overlooked by a magnificient palace like cathedral literally built on a steep 80 degree slope – Fitzgerald Municpal Park on the river banks to the South, and Cork County Hall visible at 16-storeys in the distance.

Attempts had been made a few years ago by the Mercy’s Board of Management to purchase Henry Street from CCC and construct an extension over the street (building down to street level from the link bridge and then back) facilitating increased services, bedspaces and an underground car-park – however this plan as of yet, never got off the ground.

*if you look at the last image closely, though it is small, you may notice Tony Macken’s apartment building in the background along Henry Street – to give a sense of proximity. Also, notice the river area in the foreground, it was this area in which Sean Meehan had intended to construct a 3 level multi-storey car-park and commercial units with quay-link vehicular bridge – all over the water on STILTS!!! The application was subsequently withdrawn.

Uncanny!!! Will 2005 be the year CIE finally decide to get up off their backsides and get going on the long-awaited, long-overdue and HIGHLY anticipated Horgan’s Quay redevelopment??? Will they actually shock us all and proceed with the extensive yet innovative masterplans already conceived or just give us a half-assed attempt for the sake of peace??? I hope the former, but only time will tell!!!

(As a side note, if they do proceed with the plans already conceived, it is estimated that the development – which will be constructed in 3 phases – will cost from anywhere between 375m euros for the so-called “basic plan” to the 550m euro “cool plan”.)

The O’Rahilly Building (ORB) in UCC saw its 1st Phase open its doors to students in 1997 – the building, designed by A&D Wejchert, houses the departments of Applied Language and Business. A 4-storey, 26,000sq ft extension was added in 2001, a near mirror of the original, also designed by the same design team.

The building evokes a gothic air about it and makes notable use of limestone cladding, blended with the contemporary element of tinted and clear glass facades.

@what? wrote:

this building is repulsive. its a bad example from a terrible era. what is your problem Lexington.

Hey as I’ve said a million and one times – and read above – I never said I liked any of the buildings on this thread, I’m just pointing them out. And even if I did like it, no need to insult someone’s opinion. No two minds are alike. As it stands, I don’t particularly like the O’Rahilly Building. Still it’s worth noting.