Civil Engineering & Landscape Architecture, Richview
UCD acquired the former Philips Complex in 2002 (see Whiteoakes & Philips Development). The Complex comprises 9.4 acres of land and 10,000 m2 of useable buildings. The site is bordered by the Belfield Campus on three sides, with independent access from the Clonskeagh road. A large portion of the buildings on the site have been recently adapted for academic use by the Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture elements of the UCD School of Architecture, Landscape & Civil Engineering. UCD has now realised its long-term physical development plan to locate the majority of its teaching facilities at Belfield.
The former Philips Complex was acquired in order to provide cost effective accommodation for elements of the university’s non-medical academic facilities located at Earlsfort Terrace. The purchase was linked to the acquisition of Earlsfort Terrace by the government to facilitate the expansion of the National Concert Hall.
This Phase 1 development enables Richview to be the primary academic home of the three disciplines within the UCD School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering. The School is widely recognised, both nationally and internationally, for its scholarly pursuit of creativity and innovation in design. The proximity of the former Philips Complex to the School of Architecture at Richview allows these two former locations to be read together as one, while supporting the co-location of various disciplines of the built environment.
The move to the
Phillips Complex of Civil Engineering from Earlsfort Terrace and of
Landscape Architecture from the Agriculture and Food Science Centre
will cement the integration of the School’s activities. Its key
position between the main Campus and the School of Architecture at
Richview, has allowed for the opening up of this sector of the Campus.
Originally used by Phillips BV as offices and warehouse, the 1950’s two
storey U-shaped building was in reasonable condition. A portion has
been refurbished to a high standard as academic offices, teaching and
research laboratories, classooms and postgraduate research rooms for
Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture.
The internal design and layout of the spine block of the building has
been completely altered, essentially dividing the building into two
distinct areas – the main Civil Engineering testing laboratories and
the related ancillary academic spaces. The original entrance hall from
the courtyard, enclosed by the wing blocks, has also been reinstated.
The first floor now houses the Landscape Architecture Studios. A light
filled atrium space was inserted into the building, adjoining the main
entrance to the west. This social space will also link to the west wing
of the building, when it is developed in the future.
The
architectural interventions to the exterior of the building were
minimal. However the design of small extensions to the east of the
original building, providing a new workshop and enclosed service yard,
worked with the industrial 1950’s architectural character of the
existing buildings in their linearity and choice of industrial
materials. An incision into the U-shaped plan to allow a pedestrian and
visual route through the complex was also a key development.
The refurbishment works commenced in May 2006 and were completed by July 2007, with laboratory equipment and furniture fit-out ongoing throughout the summer. The relocation of Civil Engineering and Landscape Architecture was completed in the summer of 2007.
Updated Aug 07.
