Island Crematorium, cork harbour
OPUS Awards for Conservation and
Art in Architecture.
This is a non-denominational Crematorium located on Rocky Island in Cork Harbour.
The project entailed the restoration of a 19th century naval gunpowder store while simultaneously inserting new most up to date facilities: cremation space, ritual space, family room, refreshment room, offices and staff facilities, courtyards and landscaping.
The design principle was to keep the interventions to a few strong simple gestures and strip the building back to its original form and inhabit the resulting spaces in a sympathetic and reversible arrangement. It was felt that it was important to recognise the symbolic journey of life and death in the spatial sequence and in the strong elemental expression of materials, water, artwork and light.
Unitarian Church / English Market,
Cork
The project involves significant conservation of the Unitarian Church on Prince’s Street. This Protected Structure, completed in 1717, is Cork’s oldest surviving church in continuous use. Extensive investigation was carried out into the fabric and condition. The proposed works include removing 20th c. interventions to reveal the original double-height volume, (designed as an auditory church), reinforcing the upper galleries for public use, necessary structural stabilisation work and conservation of original joinery and panelling.
An additional civic function is envisaged to complement the religious use of the refurbished space. The creation of a new connection with the English Market would open a new route through these important public spaces, benefitting both and allowing them to share proposed new facilities including lift, stairway and toilets.
carrigrohane castle,
Cork
This privately owned 17th c. castle situated in a medieval curtilage on a craggy outcrop overlooking the western approach to Cork city, within extensive grounds, had been refurbished by renowned architect Benjamin Woodward in the mid 19th c., and later modifications made in the 20th c.
Our brief was to conserve the historic fabric and retain the character while also making it into a comfortable home with new entertainment spaces suited to modern living and connected to the landscape in an easy and fluid manner. This was indeed a challenge in a historic structure originally constructed as a defensive tower, with layers of history built into the fabric, but we were successful in obtaining planning permission for significant works including a generous kitchen/dining extension at basement level jutting out from the rockface below and making a new connection with the wooded landscape and views over the Lee valley. We also successfully applied for conservation grant funding.
1 north mall,
Cork
This project involved conservation works to a 3-storey Georgian House, a landmark river front protected structure on the North Mall, to return the building from office use to family home.
Works included opening up the rear yard, building a new facade to the west and installing new kitchen and bathrooms. The front facade brickwork was repaired and repointed, roof slates and leadwork were repaired or replaced and windows cleaned back, repaired and repainted. Lime based render was applied to other external wallls. The internal finishes were retained and repaired and any new materials were chosen to be sympathetic to the original house.