The proposed Duke St / Anne St South Public Realm Improvement Scheme reached a significant milestone recently as it was granted Part 8 planning approval at the April meeting of the Dublin City Council. Reimagining Dublin’s primary retail core as a more welcoming, modern and beautiful space was the design intent. The design, developed by […]

Dublin City Council recently launched the results of a new digital twin project, examining different ways to future-proof its social housing stock. A digital twin is a virtual representation using real-time data, which can be used to simulate relationships between factors such as people, buildings and the environment. These virtual models have become a staple in […]

As part of the EPA Climate Change Lecture Series, City Architects were invited to present examples of our Climate Resilient Design Work at The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin on 19th April 2023. A lecture entitled ‘Ocean Circulation, Tipping Points and the Public Climate Debate’ by Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Professor of Physics of the Oceans […]

Dublin City Council’s Environment & Transportation Dept has recently established an Active Travel Network Office to deliver a programme of improved walking and cycle infrastructure across the city. City Architects are excited to be a part of this multi-disciplinary team and look forward to collaborating with engineers, landscape architects and planners to help facilitate the modal shift from […]

The proposed redevelopment of the existing Constitution Hill Flats has reached a major mile stone as the Part 8 planning application for 124 homes has been lodged and can be viewed on: https://consultation.dublincity.ie/central-area/part-8-redevelopment-of-constitution-hill-flats-du/ Design Team Project Managers/Feasibility Masterplan City Architects Division, Dublin City Council Architects Grafton Architects Landscaping Brady Shipman Martin Structural & Civil Engineers ARUP M&E Services Engineers ARUP […]

This year’s annual architectural festival Open House will take place across the city from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th October.  It is a unique opportunity for citizens to explore, understand and re-discover the architecture of their city through over 150 free events and tours, including buildings not generally accessible to the public. This year Dublin […]

High quality and well-designed living environments can bring economic, social and environmental benefits to cities, towns, and rural communities across Ireland The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien TD and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D launched the Government’s new National Policy on Architecture,  “Places for People”, on […]

  Remote learning: Local Action: New ideas for Living in Ireland   Webinar by University College Dublin M.Arch students       The last year has been challenging for us all, dealing with the pandemic affecting most aspects of life. This has been especially true of college students completing their degrees remotely, a particular disadvantage […]

Corban Walker’s exploration of minimal home sizes opened on 24th June 2021 at Diamond Park, Dublin 1.  A public discussion was held to mark the exhibition’s launch.  Panellists were the artist Walker, Orla Hegarty (UCD), John O’Connor (Housing Agency), Sinead O’Carroll (The Journal), Amy Donohoe (Dublin Live) and Ruairí Ó Cuív (DCC Public Art Officer).  […]

  An exhibition of artist Corban Walker’s new art work ‘What do you need?’ will explore the impact of minimal home sizes and housing policies on the lives of communities and artists. The exhibition will will take place in Diamond Square, 7 Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1, from 24th June to 15th July 2021. The opening of the […]

Last weekend saw the 15th Open House Dublin festival, and the first Open House to take place online. Organisers the Irish Architecture Foundation  gathered a fantastic collection of virtual tours, films and interviews for the online festival that Dublin City Council were delighted to be part of. While It’s a pity that people missed out […]

The 14th annual architectural festival Open House will take place across the city from Friday 11th October to Sunday 13th October.  It is a unique opportunity for citizens to explore, understand and re-discover the architecture of their city through over 140 free events and tours, including buildings not generally accessible to the public. This year […]

City Architects has recently completed the procurement of a Design-Build Contractor Framework for delivery of apartment and housing developments using ‘Modern Methods of Construction’, i.e. 2D Panelised or 3D Modular or Volumetric Construction. The Framework consists of six Contractors who will tender for projects with an estimated construction value in excess of €15 million (excl. […]

The new housing project at Cornamona Court, which recently commenced on site, is being constructed as part of Dublin City Council’s ongoing programme of delivery of new homes. Introduction The redevelopment of Cornamona Court in Ballyfermot was identified by Dublin City Council as part of our delivery of new housing under the Housing Strategy 2020. […]

St Bricin’s Park, Arbour Hill is a mid 1960’s development comprising of 68 bedsit units. There are three blocks of bedsits each two-storey high.  The Structural Engineering section is providing design services in conjunction with internal and external consultants led by Architect James Walsh of Low Energy Design (Blocks 2 and 3). Block 2, Load Testing […]

Pigeon House Power Station has recently featured in Open House Dublin on Saturday the 13th of October. City Architects would like to thank all of you who participated in Open House Dublin and braved the elements in what was a very wet day that failed to dampen the enthusiasm for the 13th annual event. City Architect’s and […]

Dublin City Council and the O’Devaney Gardens Community Consultative Forum will be hosting a workshop regarding the regeneration of O’Devaney Gardens.

Image credit : Paddy Cahill   The 13th edition of Ireland’s largest architectural festival ‘Open House’ will take place across the city on Friday 12th October – Sunday 14th October.

Having made good progress exploring the benefits of system building /prefabrication in the construction of two-storey housing (152 homes complete and 70 homes due for completion this year), Dublin City Council is now looking

Crampton Buildings forms a small city block with frontage onto Crampton Quay overlooking the river Liffey. Here are some images and notes about the extensive renovation works completed in 2016.

Kevin Street Library is set in the south city centre and first opened to the public in 1904. As a flagship branch of Dublin City’s library network it stood as a cornerstone for the neighbourhoods it served, connecting people to each other and to their community. The Library was

Dublin City Architects, in agreement with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG), have selected a pilot scheme to implement the forthcoming nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard for social housing at a 30 unit scheme located at North King Street, Dublin 7.

  “Open House Dublin (OHD) is Ireland’s largest architecture festival, inviting all citizens to explore their city. It works through a simple but powerful idea: showcasing outstanding architecture for everyone to experience.”  – Open House Dublin 2017 –

The IFI will be hosting a panel discussion on architecture, city planning and environmental policy following a screening of Matt Tyranauer’s new documentary Citizen Jane: Battle for the City Sunday May 7th at 16.00. Panellists will include Councillor Ciarán Cuffe, Dublin City Councillor for the North Inner City, Natalie de Róiste, City Organiser Jane’s Walk […]

This report presents the key outcomes, findings and recommendations from the delivery of DCC Beta over 3.5 years.

The first images of the design for the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter were presented as part of an update to Dublin City Council’s Culture Recreation & Amenity Strategic Policy Committee  last week.

Framework is a new pilot project focused on community led regeneration of the built environment and we have launched an open call for participants for the end of March.

We’re delighted to see that Dublin City Council’s Parks Dept and the Irish Architecture Foundation have announced a winner for their design competition for a Play Park in Ballyfermot’s Le Fanu Park.

We’re delighted that the DCC Beta project which has been developed and run by Shane Waring in City Architects Division over recent years is featuring as part of tonight’s Pecha Kucha event at the Sugar Club. It’s an opportunity to get an insight into how trialling and participation can work in developing new urban projects in […]

We’re looking forward to the launch tomorrow of a new scheme we have been working on with the Dublin City Local Enterprise Office to promote the use of strategic design by small enterprises.

  The new Liberty House building; the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and Restoration of St Mel’s Cathedral, are among the 36 projects shortlisted for this year’s Irish Architecture Awards, which were announced this week by The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland [RIAI]. The list also includes Rosie Hackett Bridge; Dalkey Heritage Centre & […]

Friday 19th June sees the launch of the 5Cube Energy Pavilion at Hanover Quay at the Grand Canal Dock. A new intriguing black glass cube is currently being installed on Hanover Quay, just beyond U2’s studios at the facing Marine School Walk opposite the Waterfront apartments. This new mysterious installation, animating the quayside is a […]

  The Sacred Space exhibition is concerned with the contemporary making and unmaking of sacred space in Dublin.

Last December, we told you about the European Year for Development which will be launched on the 22nd January 2015 in Dublin Castle. Details about the event can be found here

Alongside Hidden Rooms, November also saw two presentations from City Architect Ali Grehan on design in the city.  The first took place in Shanghai at the Pc-House Modern Design Awards, where she presented an outline of house typologies in Dublin, from the earliest ‘Dutch Billies’ right through to contemporary schemes such as Thornton Heights and […]

Light is something we all take for granted, but once captured it offers a new dimension to how we see things, and the spaces we inhabit.  Kevin Street Library is about many things but primarily about the light.

Hidden Rooms on the 25th and 26th November 2014 was a terrific success and a big thanks to everyone who participated. It was clear from energy levels at Tuesday’s post workshop gathering in Powerscourt and the Wednesday public Plenary in City Hall that every group had enjoyed an intense and productive day.

Things have been busy in City Architects over the past as the PIVOT Dublin Hidden Rooms conference is taking place.

HIDDEN ROOMS on 25th-26th November 2014 is a PIVOT Dublin Future Thinking event to stimulate collaborative efforts that will deliver innovative solutions to city issues. The event is hosted by Dublin City Council and is a part of our ongoing design development programme.

Last weekend’s Open House event may be regarded as a high point in the on-going awareness raising initiative that the City Architects Conservation team have guided on Aungier Street – the first planned-suburb of the modern city commenced in 1660 outside the precinct of the medieval Castle.

Last month saw the opening of the new tearoom in Harold’s Cross Park.  The new cafe, operated by Noshington Café, sees the reuse of an existing structure, dating from 1943, which had been unused for many years.   The cafe will be open 7 days a week throughout the year and is located at the western […]

As part of the Dolphin House regeneration project a 3d model was commissioned from JD Hacketts Ltd using 3d printing technology.  

The Lord Mayor, Christy Burke and the City Architect, Ali Grehan launching the Dublin House project on the site of 29-30 Fishamble St., Dublin 8 on July 21st 2014 for more, see dublinhouse.ie

The Dublin House Project will be launched today, Monday 21st July, at 11:00.  Among those in attendance will be the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Christy Burke, and City Architect, Ali Grehan.  The launch will take place on the site advertised for the project, 29-30 Fishamble Street.

A multi-disciplinary team led by Grafton Architects and Shaffrey Associates have been chosen for the redevelopment of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter.  The announcement was made today by Dublin City Council and the Parnell Square Foundation.  

Ensuring staff knowledge is kept up to date, City Architects staff regularly attend continuing professional development (CPD) events or talks.

     One of our current projects here at Dublin City Architects is the administration of the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme.  This scheme aims to assist the conservation of historic buildings and structures by providing both part funding and the expertise of local authorities. 

This week it was announced that the architectural blog Built Dublin, will be put on ‘indefinite hiatus’.  Described as ‘a love letter to architecture and public space Dublin” the site was started over 26 months ago by freelance architecture researcher and writer Lisa Cassidy. 

We’re looking forward to hearing about the potential of Green Roofs in our city on May 28th at the latest talk presented by the Irish Landscape Institute.

 Beyond Noise and Silence is a programme run by the Council’s Arts Office, and their most recent event in the LAB on Foley Street gave fascinating insights into how the city can be understood through sound. 

The Wood Quay venue was packed to capacity on Thursday 13th February for the City Limits conference. 

On Wednesday 6th November Dublin City Council will be hosting a discussion on ways to develop new and better public services, communication platforms, education and business models through design; within the context of emerging EU policy and a national economic strategy.

UPDATE: Details of the Cork Hill Public Realm Design Workshop confirmed The details of the workshop below are as follows: Date: Friday 15th March Time: 10.00am Venue: Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 Contact: email design@dublincity.ie to reserve a place

‘Cities that value and apply design in how they think, plan and act are more attractive, humane and competitive.’ (extract from City Architects World Design Capital 2014 bid feasibility report, April 2010). “What do City Architects do?” is a question that I get asked often.

We are currently seeking three interns for suitably qualified job-seekers to participate in internships in City Architects in the following roles:

We thought we would share this film of a recent project at the historic City Markets building by the Way Wiser Collective.

  How can Dublin create competitive working places that attract and sustain innovative enterprises? How can commercial developments give more to the city in terms of social and environmental sustainability? How do cities accommodate the range of businesses which make up a healthy business ecology, from large floor-plate investors to smaller scale start-ups?

  Earlier this summer, City Architects participated in the ‘Ideas Lab’, part of the Science Gallery’s interactive ‘Hack the City’ exhibition running until 8th September as part of Dublin’s designation as European City of Science 2012.

In the final blog post responding to guest curators le cool Dublin on pivotdublin.com, we turn to proposals for a new city library for Dublin.

T.P Nolan, Ushers Quay, photo by Come here to me! Continuing with talking about questions put on the pivotdublin.com blog by recent guest curators le cool Dublin, we come to the question of dealing with neglected or under-used buildings and respecting urban character by preserving old signage.

DMC ‘Her Redundant Heart’ St Andrews Lane, Dublin 2 We’re answering questions put on the pivotdublin.com blog by recent guest curators le cool Dublin which you can see here. One topic they asked about is street art in the city.

  The latest guest curator of the pivotdublin.com blog, le cool Dublin, posed a number of questions about developments going on in the city in their final posts. Here on the City Architects blog we provide some hopefuly useful answers in this and the next few posts. First up was the question of markets.

Paul Keogh Architects’ Sean Treacy House has been shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award in this year’s RIAI annual awards. 

You are cordially invited to come and join the conversation about design in Dublin and the design of the city we want at the ReThink + ReAct exhibition in Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

PIVOT Dublin is an initiative led by City Architects to promote design as a driver of innovation and to communicate, demonstrate and celebrate design’s role in Dublin’s social, cultural and economic development.

Quality of design and architecture in the public procurement system is a major issue for the public sector in getting the quality of facilities needed to deliver the best public services.

  The National Disability Authority has launched new design guidance with the aim of promoting the accessibility of heritage sites

The Draft Dublin City Public Realm Strategy identifies the importance and character of the public realm and the challenges to be addressed in order to achieve significant change