MG
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And when I say student friend, I mean Cathal and not Enda. Enda’ comments are constructive yet positive – it’s a “we know what has to be done and we’ll do it” attitude rather that “we know what has to be done, so why aren’t you doing it”.
All very idealistic of our student friend, but it does assume the point that architects are blame free. And we know that’s not true, architects still have to feed their employees and their families so they take the work where they can. Ultimately it is up to the architecture community to try and raise development design quality.
As for the apartments, look again at the next new block you see, see the blue RIAI sign? That means it was designed by an architect!!!
What we can all do is encourage discussion here, it’s all about increasing awareness not just complaining. Architects and developers need to know that they are accountable to the public whether that be through negative reaction in discussion or more direct approaches such as protests.
And when I say negative reaction, I do mean negative but constructive criticism rather than just negative.
Perhaps the collapse of confidence in Irish architects is terminal, perhaps it is reversible. But it is noticeable. I remember letters to the newspapers and indeed posts on these boards regarding the “Spike” and “why are we not using an Irish architect” type commentary, when it had been decided by open competition. Proof if proof were need that architecture in Ireland lacked confidence, the unwillingness to jeopardise their entry by going for the outrageous and the insane – play it safe at all costs.
I also think that this is a good idea but maybe a tad unworkable at the moment.
I like the idea though of the Soviet era Moscow idea on putting newspapers on noticeboards for the proletariat to read.
i.e. as a developer, the full drawings would have to be displayed at eye height on boards on the proposed site, with elevations, measurements etc.
Since my previous comments, I have seen the railings and they’re far too fussy in design. They contrast poorly with the strong bold horizontals of the bank.
Having been down there recently, I think its all very nice but seems too bare and exposed now – something it never did when it was plain old Smithfield as opposed to Smithfield Civic Plaza
There is now a “Sold” sign on the hospital buildings so I guess its days are numbered. In these days of rising rents, it would make a great hostel / student accomodation for the nearby DITs.
The word on the street suggests that there may still be a civil case brought by concerned citizens against O’Callaghan….
The galling thing is that the buildings by SOM which was refused is far superior to this rubbish by Keane Murphy Duff [?]
It’s a grim addition to the city, one which we will rue for the next 100 years and not because of its scale but rather its poor design.
It was white originally which provided a great contrast with the red roof, but it was considered impractical to paint it white with the traffic….
As a public space, the plaza was limited due to its windswept nature and complete lack of focus with the exception of the steps to the bank. It was the steps as focus that caused the Bank to fence in part of the plaze to prevent foreign bankers having to walk over beer, curries and much worse.
Although the railings may be at odds with the design of the building, they really cannot be blamed for the destruction of the public space, as it was never very successful in the first place.
I was looking at a bag and the building this morning. Basically the shop facade is only half the elevation on the bag. This leads me to believe that this was the original design, never completed as there is enough length in the block for another repetition of the elaborate victorian facade.
Yes, but look at all the Corporation housing of the 1930s in Dublin, all based on the Amsterdamn School – especially around Townsend Street. All very fine buildings and still some of the best housing stock in the city today.
Iarnrod Eireann Architects have done some good work recently:
Look at the renovated Heuston, makes going down the country by train a less frantic and uncomfortable experience
Look at the new Connolly…. I havent been down yet but by all accounts it’s impressive
[now if they could only improve the trains]
Hmmm can’t really see this site getting any free PR from the RIAI. It seems from a conversation I had in a bar one night with an architect that the RIAI has a problem with their member’s work being dissed on these boards 🙂
there she goes…..
http://images.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/1199/dmd1108.jpg
