St.Davnet’s Hospital Cemetery re-design, DESMOND BYRNE (PRACTICE LOTTS ARCHITECTURE)
The historic hospital complex includes a small cemetery in a fine landscape setting on the periphery of the town of Monaghan. It is the burial ground of former patients. Lotts Architecture have completed the redesign and restoration of the cemetery to be a place of memory and dignity.
Castle Street & Cork Hill Street Paving Design, DESMOND BYRNE (PRACTICE LOTTS ARCHITECTURE)
Cork Hill is the entrance to Dublin Castle is marked by the City Hall and former Newcomen Bank and one of Dublin’s most important historic street settings. Lotts Architecture have completed a redesign and conservation approach for it and neighbouring Castle Street that is now at planning stage.
Kerry Vernacular Survey, DESMOND BYRNE (PRACTICE LOTTS ARCHITECTURE)
This is the first part of a study and inventory of Kerry’s rural vernacular dwellings and settings. Lotts Architecture have carried out similar studies for counties Monaghan and Wicklow. The study was published by Kerry County Council as a book, edited by the former conservation officer Eamon Fleming, and was part of UCD Authors World Book Day in 2016.
Naïve and Sentimental, DESMOND FOLEY (Dermot Foley, Landscape Architects)
Dermot Foley is PhD candidate with Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). RMIT are pioneers in design practice research. His working title for the research is Naïve and Sentimental. The research explores a number of aspects of his past and current work and is aimed at furthering innovation and venturous practice.
One element of the research relates to the reuse of secondary raw materials as landscape finishes. Dermot is using these materials in public open space in London and Dublin. He also teaches design and construction techniques for the reuse of secondary raw materials at UCD.
Dermot's practice is currently delivering a number of public realm projects, including parks and squares for Dublin City Council. The design for one of these projects, the proposed new park at Bridgefoot Street, has emerged out of a creative consultation process and is due to completed in 2018.
Fieldwork & Strategies, Sophie Maltzan
Spatial and social activation of Great Western Square through a pop-up willow weaving workshop. This design led research explores meaningful interaction with communities, offering students and school children experimental learning and working with the community delivering “each way” informal education. During the students work with the Phibsboro Community in the 16/17 academic year, Great Western Square has been analysed and rated as underused by the community and students.
This spatial and social activation willow weaving workshop with students, community members and school children highlights this issue and explores Great Western Square’s Potential as a more actively used Green space for the (Greater) Community. The willow sculptures relate spatially to the Square’s houses, plants, it’s land form and current as well as expected usage. They address the social agendas that have been unearthed by students and community. The temporary sculptures allow the residents to engage with the Square in a new, fresh different way. This might, or not lead to physical changes of the Square in the future ( initiated by residents) ?
It will certainly change the perception of the square for anyone who took part or witnessed the “Great Western Willow weaving” Even after the sculptures are gone.
5 UCD students, approximately 20 residents and 200 local school children took part in the building workshops from the 12th to the 18th of June. At the weekend there was music, dream catcher and basket weaving as well as games. The willow installations are staying in place until the residents wish for them to be gone.
More extensive analysis, evaluations of findings and a publication will be produced from September 17 onwards by the students during the next academic term. More photos and observations of the fieldwork here: (opens in a new window)https://www.tumblr.com/blog/fieldworkandstrategies
The module is lead by Sophie Graefin von Maltzan who runs Fieldwork& Strategies, a socially engaged arts practise.
In her own practise and with the students she explores community design participation through site specific intervention in Dublin. (opens in a new window)www.fieldworkandstrategies.com