Project Details
- Project Name
- University of Limerick,Medical School, Residences, Piazza, and Pergola
- Architect
- Grafton Architects
- Client/Owner
- Plassey Campus Developments
- Project Types
- Education
- Project Scope
- New Construction
- Year Completed
- 2013
- Shared by
- Madeleine D'Angelo
- Project Status
- Built
Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara, founding partners of Grafton Architects, are the 2020 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureates and the winners of the 2020 RIBA Gold Medal.
Project Description
FROM THE ARCHITECTS:
The University of Limerick, occupies a large territory, formerly a Demesne, and is situated on both sides of the lower reaches of the river Shannon, the longest and largest river in Ireland. Part of its most recent expansion to the north of this great river, accessible by pedestrian bridge from the existing campus, provides for the construction of a new medical school building and accommodation buildings for students attending the facility. These new buildings are also intended to address a large public open space which will ultimately become the focal point for this expansion of the campus to the North. This new suite of buildings combines with three existing, neighbouring institutions, the Sports Pavilion, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and the Health Sciences Building, in order to make a new public space.
Material and Form
Limestone is used to represent the 'formal' central medical school, making reference to the limestone territory of County Clare in which this side of the campus is located. The stone wall is folded, profiled and layered in response to orientation, sun , wind, rain and public activity. A colonnade to the south and west corner acts as a gathering and entrance space. In contrast the north and east walls are more mute.
Brick follows through to the residences from the existing accommodation buildings behind. Here the material is given depth and the facades deeply carved providing a form of threshold between the domestic interior and the public space that they overlook. All living spaces address the public space to the south east with the more private study bedrooms facing north east or north west.
The undercroft of the residences is carved away providing archways allowing pedestrian movement from the carpark and bus park to the north as well as forming sheltered social spaces for students. Large gateways open into the entrance courts of the housing blocks.
Section and Circulation
In response to the deep plan, the roof-form is modulated to light multiple spaces, including the central circulation space, the clinical skills labs, the corridors, and a small roof terrace.
An open central stair connecting all of the primary spaces, threads through all levels of the interior, designed as a social space with enough room to stop and chat or lean on a balustrade / shelf and view the activity of the entrance and other spaces above and below.
Project Credits:
Project: University of LimerickMedical School, Residences, Piazza and Pergola
Architects: Grafton Architects
Project Managers: Kerin Contract Management
Structure and Civils: PUNCH Consulting Engineers
Mechanical and Electrical: Don O'Malley & Partners
Quantity Surveyors: Nolan Ryan Tweed, Declan Ash Quantity Surveyor
Health & Safety: Willis Consulting
Fire Safety and Access: G. Sexton & Partners