Dublin City Architects Blog
Career Opportunities in City Architects / Deis Ghairme le hAiltirí na Cathrach
19.01.2024
Career Opportunities in City Architects / Deis Ghairme le hAiltirí na Cathrach

Dublin City Council has today advertised seeking applicants for the position of Executive Architect to join our team in City Architects Division. The positions offer suitably qualified and experienced candidates the opportunity to work on our diverse range of construction and civic design projects from housing, architectural conservation, civic and cultural buildings to public realm […]

01.06.2023
Duke St / Anne St South Public Realm Scheme – Part 8 Planning Approved / Scéim Ríochta Poiblí Shráid an Diúic / Sráid Anna Theas – Pleanáil Chuid 8 Faofa

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 […]

18.05.2023
Digital Twin – Climate Resilient Housing / Leathchúpla Digiteach – Tithíocht atá Seasmhach ó thaobh na hAeráide

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 […]

03.05.2023
City Architects Present Climate Resilient Design Work at EPA event on Climate Change / Cuireann City Architects Obair Dheartha atá Seasmhach ó thaobh na hAeráide i láthair ag imeacht de chuid an GCC ar Athrú Aeráide

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 […]

Career Opportunities At City Architects – Deputy City Architect & Senior Executive Architect
21.02.2023
Career Opportunities At City Architects – Deputy City Architect & Senior Executive Architect

  Dublin City Council is seeking applicants for the post of Deputy City Architect and for Senior Executive Architect posts to join the team in City Architects Division in designing and managing construction of new and retrofitted homes, civic and historic buildings, public realm and urban design projects. The application process is being managed through […]

Remembering Dearbhla McClean
02.02.2023
Remembering Dearbhla McClean

All of the City Architects team were deeply saddened at the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, architect Dearbhla McClean, just before Christmas after a short illness. Dearbhla was a compassionate and talented designer and a wonderfully positive presence in City Architects.  She worked on the Council’s libraries and other cultural buildings and was […]

05.01.2023
Introducing the Active Travel Network / An Líonra Taistil Gníomhaigh

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 […]

19.12.2022
Constitution Hill Redevelopment – Part 8 Planning Application Lodged / Athfhorbairt ar Chnoc an Bhunreachta – Cuid 8 Iarratas Pleanála curtha isteach

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 […]

03.10.2022
Dublin City Council at Open House Dublin 2022 / Comhairle Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath ag Open House Dublin 2022

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 […]

02.06.2022
Update on work so far in 2022

As we approach the halfway point in 2022, we thought we would give a brief update on a selection of the projects we have been working on this year. We will cover some of these projects in more detail once they reach completion but in the meantime here are some highlights showing the range of […]

Launch of National Policy on Architecture / Seoltar Polasaí Náisiúnta ar Ailtireacht
27.05.2022
Launch of National Policy on Architecture / Seoltar Polasaí Náisiúnta ar Ailtireacht

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 […]

11.04.2022
Dublin Region Climate Action Open Data Challenge 2022 – Call for Entries Now Open!

  The Dublin Region Climate Action Challenge seeks innovative ideas and applications that use open data to drive and support climate action. Entry is open to individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds through completing a short application form for a top prize of €5,000 with a €1,000 award available for each shortlisted entry. This challenge is organised […]

08.03.2022
Career Opportunities at City Architects

City Architects is hiring! Dublin City Council has advertised for the post of Executive Architect to join the team in City Architects Division working on our diverse range of projects across designing and managing construction of new and retrofitted homes, civic buildings, architectural conservation, public realm projects and urban design. Applicants must have at least […]

“What do you need?” – Panel Discussion marking launch of Corban Walker’s exhibition at Diamond Park Dublin 1
05.07.2021
“What do you need?” – Panel Discussion marking launch of Corban Walker’s exhibition at Diamond Park Dublin 1

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).  […]

08.06.2021
Press release: ‘What do you need?’

  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 […]

13.04.2021
Resumption of housing construction

On 8th January 2021, all but essential construction sites in Ireland were instructed to close by Government direction under national Level 5 restrictions to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19. A number of DCC sites including St. Teresa’s Gardens (54 homes), which reached substantial completion on 16th February 2021, were permitted to continue. Throughout the […]

10.03.2021
2020 Project review and 2021 Project targets (post 6 of 7): Public Realm Programme

Following on from our series of Blog posts in early 2020, this is the sixth of eight posts reviewing progress made in 2020 and outlining our project targets for this year. This post covers work on the public realm for the Council’s Environment & Transportation Department. Other public realm work in the North East Inner City […]

11.02.2021
2020 Project review and 2021 Project targets (post 3 of 7): Public Housing delivered via Design & Build construction contracts

This is the second of seven posts reviewing progress made in 2020 and outlining our project targets for this year. This post covers new-build public housing delivered via Design & Build contracts, and incorporating traditional or modern methods of construction; sometimes referred to as ‘rapid delivery, system build’ or ‘volumetric’ construction. System build or projects […]

05.02.2021
2020 Project review and 2021 Project targets (post 2 of 7): Public Housing using ‘traditional’ contracts

Following on from our series of Blog posts in early 2020, this is the first of seven posts reviewing progress made in 2020 and outlining our project targets for this year. This post covers new-build public housing using ‘traditional’ building contracts. This area of work is delivered by Dublin City Council’s City Architect Division, who […]

public realm opportunities on Dame Street – Early Consultation
16.11.2020
public realm opportunities on Dame Street – Early Consultation

Dublin City Council is progressing an ambitious plan to rediscover and reinvent the historic College Green as the major public space at the heart of the city. Following the unsuccessful application to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) in 2018,  Dublin City Council held a series of trial traffic-free events in College Green including Summer Sundays, Culture […]

20.12.2019
A look back at 2019 and a look forward to our work in 2020

As we approach the end of 2019, we thought we’d look back at events across our work on new housing developments, public housing regeneration, public realm projects, conservation works, and civic projects such as public libraries. So below is a snapshot of some of the project milestones achieved in 2019 and some of those planned […]

Cornamona Court Housing Starts On Site
12.07.2019
Cornamona Court Housing Starts On Site

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. […]

26.11.2018
Kilshane Drive retaining wall repairs

The Structural Engineering section were asked to examine the structural integrity of a retaining wall that was tilting out onto a public footpath on Kilshane Drive. It was brought to the attention of the Structural Engineering section by the housing department during a routine inspection. The retaining wall is located between a housing development at […]

Dublin City Council seeking Architect led design teams through public competition. Application Deadline 12 noon GMT Monday 17th December 2018
16.11.2018
Dublin City Council seeking Architect led design teams through public competition. Application Deadline 12 noon GMT Monday 17th December 2018

Dublin City Council has launched a competition to procure architect led integrated design teams to work on a broad range of projects. Potential commissions include feasibility studies, masterplanning, area regeneration, housing & civic projects, retro-fit & refurbishment, conservation, small works and public realm & precinct improvement works. Design Team frameworks will be created under two […]

Senior Citizen Flats – St Bricin’s Park, Arbour Hill
25.10.2018
Senior Citizen Flats – St Bricin’s Park, Arbour Hill

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
19.10.2018
Pigeon House Power Station

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 […]

NEXT for O’Devaney
11.10.2018
NEXT for O’Devaney

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

City Architects, Structural Engineering Section
02.10.2018
City Architects, Structural Engineering Section

Who are we? The Structural Engineering Section forms part of the City Architect’s Division. The Section sits within Housing and Community Services and provides Structural and Civil design on a cross departmental basis. 

City Architects & OHD 2017
10.10.2017
City Architects & OHD 2017

  “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 –

Public Realm
04.10.2017
Public Realm

  Above: Paving – Palace Street Image: City Architects   post updated 06/10/17: image credit for O’Connell St & Kilmainham Dublin City Council is the principal custodian of the city’s public realm; ‘it co-ordinates and permits development by others’ and this is guided through policy documents such as the 2012 Public Realm Strategy (Your City Your […]

Housing Projects
22.09.2017
Housing Projects

  Above: McKee Park; City Architects, 37 homes, completed Sept 2011. Image Credit: Donal Murphy Photography     Last week we gave you a general overview of the City Architects Division and the work that we do. This week we’re focusing on Housing, the area which makes up the lion’s share of our current programme.

City Architects Overview
12.09.2017
City Architects Overview

The bio on the @dubcityarc Twitter handle puts it succinctly: “Dublin City Architects promotes design and provides architectural, urban design and conservation design services to Dublin City Council”. Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting information on recent and current projects. But first, an overview.

DCC Beta – Report 2016
21.10.2016
DCC Beta – Report 2016

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

5Cube Energy Pavilion – Infographic on Oil Use in Ireland
06.08.2015
5Cube Energy Pavilion – Infographic on Oil Use in Ireland

Following on from the successful launch of the 5Cube Energy Pavilion in June at Hanover Quay at the Grand Canal Dock, the infographic below outlines the level of oil consumption in Ireland in 5 minutes.

City Architect, Ali Grehan at Pc-house Awards, Shanghai and Defuse Dublin
17.12.2014
City Architect, Ali Grehan at Pc-house Awards, Shanghai and Defuse Dublin

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 […]

Hidden Rooms – Thank You!
02.12.2014
Hidden Rooms – Thank You!

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.

Swimming Pool Refurbishment
24.11.2014
Swimming Pool Refurbishment

Dublin City Council Culture, Recreation & Amenity Department and City Architects have recently completed successfully the refurbishment of three swimming pools in the city.

Review of Open House Dublin 2014
29.10.2014
Review of Open House Dublin 2014

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.

Dublin House Launched on Fishamble Street
22.07.2014
Dublin House Launched on Fishamble Street

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

Design Team for Parnell Square Announced
18.07.2014
Design Team for Parnell Square Announced

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.  

A Look Inside the Office: Staff Presentations
17.07.2014
A Look Inside the Office: Staff Presentations

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

RIAI Public Choice Award 2014
04.07.2014
RIAI Public Choice Award 2014

Congratulations from all at Dublin City Architects to our former colleague Giulia Vallone on her success in the 2014 RIAI Awards.   The Clonakilty 400, Urban Design Masterplan by Cork County Council Architects beat off stiff competition to secure the Public Choice Award.

Lecture: Green Roofs and Flood Mitigation, Irish Landscape Institute
23.05.2014
Lecture: Green Roofs and Flood Mitigation, Irish Landscape Institute

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.

Listening for the City; a Public Symposium in the Wood Quay Venue, 8 May 2014
07.05.2014
Listening for the City; a Public Symposium in the Wood Quay Venue, 8 May 2014

Beyond Noise and Silence – Listening for the City Part III – Environment 14.00 -17.00pm Thursday May 8 2014 Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council Civic Offices, Dublin 8

Nearing Completion at Thornton Heights, Inchicore
30.04.2014
Nearing Completion at Thornton Heights, Inchicore

These pictures show the finishing touches being applied to the new homes at Thornton Heights, Inchicore.

Beyond Noise and Silence: Listening for the City; A Symposium Exploring the Relationship Between Sound, Art, and the City | Ciaran Byrne
11.04.2014
Beyond Noise and Silence: Listening for the City; A Symposium Exploring the Relationship Between Sound, Art, and the City | Ciaran Byrne

 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. 

A Packed House in Wood Quay for City Limits
26.02.2014
A Packed House in Wood Quay for City Limits

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

Dolphin House Consultations
23.10.2013
Dolphin House Consultations

Dolphin House is the largest single flat complex in the Dublin City Council area. It was built in the 1950s.

Energy Efficiency at the Mansion House
21.09.2012
Energy Efficiency at the Mansion House

Recently the ground floor reception rooms and the Lord Mayor’s apartment at the Mansion House have been re-lamped with LED bulbs – one of a number of energy saving measures completed at the house over the past 12 months, initiated by City Architects and supported by SEAI

Neglected Buildings and Signage
12.06.2012
Neglected Buildings and Signage

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.

Legal Street Art Wall
11.06.2012
Legal Street Art Wall

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.

Fire at buildings in Benburb Street
20.03.2012
Fire at buildings in Benburb Street

The Dangerous Buildings section has been dealing with the danger posed by two buildings, Nos. 5 and 6 Benburb Street, following a fire which broke out on St. Patrick’s Day.

School competition aims to push design quality in public procurement
23.01.2012
School competition aims to push design quality in public procurement

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.

Welcome
06.12.2011
Welcome

Welcome to the Dublin City Architects blog. This will be a place where you can find out about issues affecting Dublin’s urban form


Dublin City Architects is responsible for promoting design and providing architectural, urban and conservation design services to Dublin City Council.

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