PaulC

My favourite of the also rans was the Glass Obelisk, with the centre hollowed in the actual shape of the old Nelson Pillar. This would be light from within also, to give a haunting effect at night – I think this one was the runner up. It certainly was an imaginative idea.

I wouldnt be so negative as Frank McDonald though – he lives next door to the Temple Bar Music centre. He has a gripe and decided to make his views known. Now I do agree with what he is saying but the problems can be rectified if the authorities got off their backsides…
1. CCTVs are everywhere in Templebar – surely some of the graffiti culprits could be identied.
2. Graffiti and litter can be removed
3. Events which attract these undesirables should be banned and they should be made aware the events are canceled because of their behaviour.
But instead Temple Bar Properties and Dublin Corpo ignore the issues.

Actually unless I am mistaken I think one of the stipulations of £50m from JP is that it is used to build a national stadium, owned by the state which doesnt become commercial. So if eircom(for example) were to offer another £50m to call it ‘the eircom stadium’ then Mr McManus’ money would be withdrawn.

I think it looks pleasant – I think given that it is a small space, in a heavily urbanised area – there is a need for quite a bit of paving. A lot of grass wouldnt work well in a location like this. It looks contemporary and is open (ie no railings locking it away). Also I dont think the presence of skateboarders is necessarily a bad thing. Diversity is what makes a city interesting.

The £1.8m refurbishment project on the city centre landmark, which was built in 1816, started last June and the bridge was set to re-open on December 15. It is unclear whether yesterday’s drama will delay that opening.

I managed to look at what is going with the bridge yesterday and there seems to be quite a lot of steps leading up to it at each side – this is because the original gradient of the bridge is being reestablished. I wonder though will this work.
They are also putting up the walls (spannig outwards) at each end – similar to the Millenium bridge

Actually I notice that they have started some digging near the Garda station on Pearse Street – I am not sure if this is perparatory work for the Anna Liffey Fountain or not though.

Briiliant!!!! this really needs to be done.
HOWEVER is this going to turn into another O’Connell Street redevelopment and take years to complete (if ever – am I getting cynical? – I hope not)

“the National History Museum hasn’t evolved with time” – surely the present is part of the greater timeline also. The challenge for (great) architects is to surmount challenges like these and achieve the twin objects (in this case) of preserving the original museum and addressing the needs of the museum in terms of space in an inspired fashion, which itself will add to its overall greatness. Extension is not a dirty word.