The Lower House
Architect:
Fitzgerald Kavanagh & Partners
Award Type:
Irish Architecture Awards
Location:
Dublin
The Lower House at Grangegorman project is one of rescue and re-use, as against repair and restoration. Dating from 1812, the former psychiatric hospital is conserved and part-reconstructed to house a multi-functional student centre for TU Dublin. This project is distinctive for its confident use of modern materials yet careful conservation of historic fabric within an intelligent plan layout. The building has been imaginatively rethought. Housing diverse functions – including gym, canteen, music rooms and student administration – this vibrant student centre represents an adaptation of and confident departure from the building's original role. And yet, the original building is somehow never forgotten.
