13.04.2021
2020 Project review and 2021 Project targets (post 7 of 7): Civic Buildings
Photo of the front of Inchicore Library

Inchicore Library

While housing makes up the majority of Dublin City Council’s building projects, the Council also has a significant collection of civic buildings that require development, redevelopment or maintenance: libraries, galleries, fire stations, historic buildings and monuments and leisure centres to name a few.

The City Architects team, work on behalf of the departments responsible for the various buildings: the Chief Executive’s Office, Planning & Development Dept and Culture Recreation & Economic Services. The work involves all stages and scales of design including feasibility studies, master planning, new build, adaptation, refurbishment, interiors and furniture design.

Architectural conservation forms an important element of the work, and City Architects is a RIAI Grade 1 conservation practice. The conservation architects carry out the ongoing repair and maintenance of important historic Council structures including Newcomen Bank, Henrietta St, City Hall, Richmond Barracks, the Hugh Lane Gallery and Parnell Square North.

Photo of conservation repairs to the Mansion House main staircase

Conservation of the Mansion House main staircase

Libraries are another significant area of work. The newly refurbished Coolock Library designed by consultants Mahoney Architecture had its official opening on the 13 of February. The new library features a maker space, student study areas, bookable community meeting rooms and a large children’s library with a story tree.
The team is currently involved in the refurbishment and extension of a number of sports facilities including Aughrim Street Sports Hall, Irishtown Stadium and Ballyfermot Leisure Centre.

COVID 19 has impacted our project programmes, and the resultant delays have varied depending on the project stage i.e. feasibility, design, planning or construction stages. Project programmes on-site have suffered directly due to COVID 19 related shutdowns, and again due to the imposition of revised working procedures to comply with safe working requirements and protective distancing.

The table below shows a list of the targets for Corporate Services projects this year.