GregF
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I would’nt be in favour of adding a boardwalk in front of the Four Courts (or the Custom House), nor removing the ballustrades. This would be outright vandalism. More importantly, I think the council & co should concentrate on the condition of the buildings along the riverside from Hueston Station to the docks . There are a lot of shoddy and unsubstantial buildings still adorning the Liffey quays.
So in others words ye’s thought that the overgrown and cluttered assemblage of trees on the central median of O’Connell Street that were aimlessly and haphazardly planted over the decades were really lovely. The Phoenix Park is only up the road if ye’s like that.
@weehamster wrote:
Sue, I’ve one thing to say to that , fook off with your chainsaw. 😡 Mature trees are more beautiful than any building.
Go live in a tree then!
I have’nt seen the bridge yet but it looks good in the photos. As said before pity about the really bad environs. What an awful backdrop. Roll on the construction of the next Calatrava bridge however.
By the way, is Peter Coyne gone from the DDDA? Is he the CEO replaced?
In this instance the trees had to go ….its a venial sin……whats unforgiveable are the Green Party twats who chained themselves to them claiming that they were great buddies of Padraig Pearse. Would have been awful for the street had they put the new paving around the gnarled old things.
The BHS (now Penny’s) was a poor replacement. I remember when they pulled the Metropole down in the 70’s. It’s sad the way O’Connell Street was butchered for the worse since the 60’s.
@lexington wrote:
I think I may have remarked on some of the architectural firms I like in Cork/Ireland – I may update that list soon – but as for the UK?
There are a number of UK-based firms I find most interesting. The abundance of practices based across the Channel are far to numerous to be familiar in their numerical entirety – however one firm I would very much like to see employed, perhaps in a landmark docklands development, simply based on their design history is EPR Architects. If it was my choice, EPR mixed with Antonio Gaudi would probably produce my kind of project :p .
Obviously Foster & Partners (on occasion – as far as I’m concerned, Foster comes out with either a gem [Swiss Re Building] or a dodgy affair [eg. Scottish Gas HQ]), Niall McLaughlin (sometimes) and a few of the other noteworthy names are also of interest – but EPR are probably one of the lesser recognised, but equally dynamic practices based in the UK. However, I do believe it would be up to the developer to ask the firm to push themselves when it comes to design. M3 Architects are another interesting bunch – vehemently modern however.
Below are images of an interesting EPR project at Cardinal Place in London. Probably not everyone’s taste – but at least its willing to explore options beyond the standard 90 degrees.
I like the extensive and eco-friendly use of greenery – fully-fledged gardens are actually incorporated into office and retails spaces. Some of EPR’s residential stuff is a lot less worth raving about however.
EPR Architects]Foster & Partners[/URL]; M3 Architects
Interesting that you should ask that ewankennedy – however, I do believe Ireland and Cork has quite a lot of talent on its own when given the right push and the freedom to do so. Recent flairs by Coughlan de Keyser, Wilson Architecture and Patrick A. Cashman & Associates have shown that for example. But I believe we should still keep pushing the architectural boundaries – especially in Cork now that we have the opportunity to do so, and in many cases, developers with the money to provide such. Clontarf Street perhaps provides one of the most interesting forms – however I would like to see us keep pushing more and more and improve on each proposal. There will always be a few blue notes it would seem – i.e. the Capitol, Victoria Mills etc – but the trick is to outnumber x with y. EPR may be interesting, but their architecture is still not near where I would ultimately like to see our Cork’s future buildings going – that is why I noted EPR blended with Gaudi as an example. Detail and art to architecture. Colour, shape, curve and beauty. I think with the right encouragement, guidance and allowance – our own architects may be able to achieve this.
This complex look s cool! (probably helped to by the good rendered image)
It’s the continuation of the repaving of the street………….I hope! The central median here is up next for a makover!
I agree wholeheartedly. I think the DDDA may be realising it too with what was to be a flagship in contemporary architecture and modern city life for Dublin and Ireland is turning out to be a non event. There’s kinda an air of desperation when ye see the posters that they have up on hoardings promising the proposed twisting U2 tower and the Daniel Leibeskind centre for something or other. Wow! The Dublin Docks is one big joke of a development, almost painting by numbers for very slow learners. One of Its so called focal point s, Custom House Square and it’s environs etc… is really fucking awful. So much money invested and spent and with so little to be excited about. (Custom House Square will look like Dorset Street in 20 years time)
Maybe Peter Coyne and Co should take a little trip back home to Britain and get a little bit of inspiration, flair and vision. Britain is a shining light at the mo with it’s exciting new architecture popping up throughout it’s land.
Jaypers ……that Indo is a right rag of a paper. Tis understandable when ye saw the cut of some of the so called journalists who drank in the Oval. Sir Anthony J, OBE MBE would be disappointed.
@kefu wrote:
As regards the architectural merits or otherwise of the pier extension and new terminal, I have a feeling we’ll be very disappointed.
Mary Harney on Pat Kenny this morning said she did not want a “Taj Mahal” or an “over-spec” extension/terminal. If she said it once – she said it a hundred times.
One of the first things out the window will be the design elements.
And considering the atrocious standard of buildings at Dublin Airport (the original terminal the glorious exception) – there’s not likely to be any improvement with the DAA left in charge.
As regards your actual point, not sure if you’re on the right forum at all.
But I don’t think dithering is confined to just FF/PD. It’s a fact of life with our style of government where the supposedly national representatives are beholden to the local interests of individual constituents/parishes.So looks as if we’ll get a more of the same design thing…low ceilings, cramped conditions, a bit here and a bit there, meandering maze effect. Mary ain’t no woman of style. Bless her, the poor cow!
Yep…….saw that programme too. It all seems to be happening in London and Britain in general. Even their provencial cities are getting stylish makeovers. ie Gatehead Newcastle, Birmingham, etc…..Thought the same as well that we are lagging way, way behind here in Ireland in shaping the look of our towns and cities for the future. In all fairness London is emerging as the great European city with stylish new 21st landmark trappings too. Illustrious native architects such as Norman Foster, Richard Rogers etc…..leading the way. London has it all; despite the Nazi air raids which obiterated some parts of the city and most of Wren’s Cathedrals, it still has a plethora of old stock buildings and famous landmarks unique to London. Added to this today, the Gherkin, the Lord Mayor’s Office, The Eye, etc. etc…and with the new Wembley Stadium due for completion next year we are left here in Ireland truely in the shade. All we are getting with our building boom are houses and standard appartment blocks. Dublin as capital city should be leading the way for the rest of the country. New emerging Dublin is kinda basic in essence. The promise of a twisted tower in Dublin and a Leibeskind art centre or whatever, we really dont have much to look forward to. Sure is it any wonder that Cork, Galway, Limerick etc… won’t be any better as they normally follow and don’t lead. We really and truely lack ”style” when it comes to architecture!
Check out next Wednesdays programme on BBC1 ”A Short History of Skyscrapers” ….Its gonna deal with the new buildings of Asia.
(Last Wednesday’s programme aptly ending with the eerie tune of Roxy Music’s ”In each Home a Heartache” with Brian Eno on the keyboards)
I thought the Gardai were going to patrol the O’ Connell Street and Boardwalk more regularly, to move along the scumbags and gurriers. That’s what they promised last year. The committment is’nt there as always!
……Peter Coyne said it will be one of the best waterfronts in Europe.
Mind you with the purchase of the Jeanie Johnson and the plans to have a river taxi …things are looking good.
But a bit of signature architecture is badly needed in the docks . Something that can be used for branding, marketing and identification. The pyramid roofs of the mini Canary Wharf are always being used. A scheme that was designed in the late 80’s. Now that says a lot.Here’s a link showing when the Jeannie was here in Dublin last time ………….
But the ship would look good if it was possible to berth it outside the Custom House. A good set piece for the tourism trade and besides, its been a long time since such a masted sea going vessel graced the dock of the old house. Perhaps the DDDA could utilize the ship by daily offering the general public et al sea trips around Dublin bay and the coasts of Ireland. The ship is a great purchase and great addition for the city.
