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 […]

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 […]

DCC has recently completed a mixed use development on Dominick St Lower and residents have begun moving into the apartments. Dominick Hall represents the first phase of the long term ambition for the social, economic and environmental regeneration of the former flat complex and establishes the rules for future development on sites in this north […]

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 […]

Public realm improvement works to Clarendon Row were proposed both as part of the Grafton Street Quarter Public Realm Plan published by Dublin City Council in 2014, and The Heart of Dublin City Centre Public Realm Masterplan published in 2016. Phase 1 of the Grafton Street Quarter Public Realm Plan included public realm improvement works […]

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 […]

The redevelopment of Dorset Street / St. Mary’s Place Flats passed a major milestone recently as it was granted Part 8 planning approval at the January meeting of Dublin City Council. This large city centre site currently consists of four five-storey flat block buildings sitting in communal open spaces alongside a historic fire station building. […]

We’re looking forward to Open House Dublin 2021 which is organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation and there are plenty of Dublin City Council buildings you can see up close this year: Ballybough House: a pilot project to provide an energy efficiency retrofit in a Protected Structure Newly completed terrace of homes at Margaret Kennedy […]

Clarendon Street Public Realm Improvement Works Public realm improvement works to Clarendon Street were proposed both as part of the Grafton Street Quarter Public Realm Plan published by Dublin City Council in 2014, and The Heart of Dublin City Centre Public Realm Masterplan published in 2016. Phase 1 of the Grafton Street Quarter Public Realm […]

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).  […]

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 […]

Dublin City Council’s Area Offices are the key to coordinating the delivery of services in communities across the City’s five administrative areas. The Area Offices provide a broad range of services including local housing services, communities development projects, street repairs, dealing with litter and graffiti and sports development among others. This is the fifth of […]

  In early 2020, we posted a series of blogs on City Architects project targets for the year. We’re going to reflect on these targets over the coming weeks and tell you what’s planned for 2021. As with last year, the posts will be organised by programme strand (links are to last year’s posts): Public […]

This week on the blog we have a guest article from our colleagues in DCC Parks on the creation of a new public park on Bridgefoot Street in the Liberties where building materials are being re-used to form landscape. Without further ado: Those that are following the progress of the Liberties Greening Strategy will be […]

The reconstruction of Nos. 2 to 5 Ballybough Road beside the Royal Canal at Clarke’s Bridge was recently completed as part of the regeneration of the Croke Park neighbourhood, an overall scheme that includes the redevelopment of the Croke Villas flat complex to provide new homes combined with a new boulevard approach to the stadium […]

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 […]

  The redevelopment of the significant lands at Emmet Road in Inchicore, Dublin 8, site of the former St. Michael’s Estate, is progressing with the appointment of a team led by Bucholz McEvoy Architects to design and manage the construction of the planned affordable cost-rental development. The team led by Bucholz McEvoy was appointed through […]

The previous blog posts in this series focused on the main work areas of each of the teams in City Architects. Here we are highlighting some of the larger, more strategic developments that City Architects have been working on. The first of these is a development masterplan for lands at Emmet Road in Inchicore, site […]

The public realm plays an important role in how Dublin functions and its attractiveness to the people who live or work in the city. As well as being the main space for movement, circulation and other service infrastructure, the public realm is a key part of the city’s identity and distinctive character. City Architects is […]

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 […]

In early 2019 Dublin City Council appointed an urban design team, led by DMOD Architects, to prepare a Development Framework Plan for the optimum model of redevelopment of lands at Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8. These lands include the site of the former Saint Michael’s Estate. The plan sets out a framework for the provision of […]

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. […]

Phase 2 of the Grafton Street Quarter Public Realm Plan has just been completed by Dublin City Council (March 2019). Grafton Street itself was previously completed as part of phase 1. Phase 2 consists of the streets immediately west of Grafton Street including Chatham Street, Harry Street and the adjoining streets of Balfe Street, Chatham […]

Phase 1 of the Teresas’s Gardens development is underway with 54 homes under construction on a site bounded to the west by the Coombe Hospital Complex, to the northwest by single storey dwellings, to the east by Donore Avenue and to the south by the greater St Teresa’s Gardens site. Recent Regeneration History The St. […]

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 […]

Detailed plans for Parnell Square Cultural Quarter, which will be anchored by a new City Library, were presented in City Hall, today, Monday 10 September.

There has been discussion and reportage in the media recently on Dublin City Council’s flat complex regeneration plans, with particular focus on complexes built between 1930 and 1950. To clarify, Dublin City Council has not planned the demolition of any of the blocks designed by Herbert Simms (aside from those already being redeveloped as part […]

The South East Area office commissioned the services of the City Architects Public Realm Team to design a public realm improvement scheme for the Ranelagh Triangle. The project brief was to reconsider the memorial to Deidre Kelly, local historian and activist, which, had ongoing issues regarding maintenance and suitability and to improve the existing public […]

College Green Plaza; Architect: Paul Keogh Architects & Dixon Jones Architects Image by: Philip Kelly – Sketchrender 3D Visualisation   Dublin City Council has confirmed that a further period of public consultation will take place on its proposals for the development of College Green as a civic plaza.

  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 […]

Dublin City Council has presented and exciting and creative design renewing College Green as a civic space in the heart of Dublin. This new pedestrian priority space will significantly improve the quality of the city’s public realm.

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 […]

Imagine College Green as Dublin’s most important Public Space. A Public Consultation Workshop regarding the design of a Civic Space at College Green.

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 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 […]

During Dublin City Architects recent and ongoing research of The Aungier Estate we discovered what we believe to be one of the earliest surviving original 1893 Charles E. Goad’s Fire insurance plans of Dublin City centre. The historic fire insurance plans were found right here in Dublin City Council Offices on Wood Quay.  The plans […]

Dublin City Council through City Architects has been building links with Singapore, a city that applies a strong design focus in urban development. City Architect Ali Grehan was invited to Singapore recently to see the impressive work being done by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and share insights about Dublin’s design approach. In addition to making […]

“Located in the one of the most disadvantaged areas of Dublin’s inner city, the regeneration of Liberty House (renamed Peadar Kearney House) has been a flagship project in the Integrated Area Plan that the City Council adopted for the north east inner city.

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

Congratulations to Dublin City Council’s Engineering Department on the Rosie Hackett Bridge being voted Best Engineering Project of the Year in the Engineers Ireland Awards by the Irish public. The Rosie Hackett Bridge by Dublin City Council, Roughan & O’Donovan, Sean Harrington Architects and Graham Projects Ltd is the newest bridge overlooking Dublin’s riverscape.

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 […]

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.  

Plans for the proposed regeneration of Dolphin House are now available to view.  The part VIII proposal includes the construction and refurbishment of 100 homes along with associated public realm works.

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.

The regeneration of St Teresa’s Gardens continues apace with the passing of its part VIII proposal by Dublin City Council. The project will involve the construction of a mixture of new houses and apartments along with refurbishment works to existing blocks.  Complementing this will be a new urban park equipped with facilities for play and […]

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. 

    Minister for Housing, Jan O’Sullivan recently announced the provision of €68 million in funding for the construction of social housing.  This is the first such government investment in many years and will result in 449 new homes across the state. 

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

Billed as Ireland’s largest construction and property conference, The 2014 Better Building Conference took place on Wednesday 9 April in Croke Park. 

 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. 

A joint Dublin City Council, Office of Public Works project is underway to improve the public realm and visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol.

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

Following on from the public launch of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter (PSCQ) project, Dublin City Council is now seeking an outstanding Design Team to deliver the architectural vision for this landmark place.

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:

It’s nice to see Palace Street public realm works recently completed – a good example of how a relatively small project can greatly change the quality of experience.

McKee Court, designed by City Architects, is a development of homes for senior citizens close to McKee Barracks and Phoenix Park. The scheme, which has been shortlisted for a Chambers Ireland Award for Excellence in Local Government,  consists of 38 apartments (36 x 1-bed and 2 x 2-beds) and a small community facility on a steeply sloping triangular […]

Smithfield Quarter Enhancement Scheme is a City Architects Division led project by Dublin City Council and jointly funded by Dublin City Council and the E.U.

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.

Opened in 2011, Rathmines Square is a mixed-use development which provides a state of the art public leisure centre together with residential accommodation on Rathmines Road in Dublin 6. Designed by the award-winning Donnelly Turpin Architects, the project is managed by the South East Area with input from the Culture, Recreation & Amenity Department with […]

  During 2010 and 2011 final year students in UCD School of Architecture carried out a study of Mountjoy Square in association with the Council’s Conservation Officer.

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.

Dublin City Council developed a new masterplan for the regeneration of Dominick Street’s 1960s social housing in 2008.

Sean Treacy House, a housing scheme completed last year, recently won two design awards from the Irish Council for Social Housing in the Community Housing Awards 2011.

The recent launch of the Council’s Draft Public Realm Strategy attracted significant media attention and a good bit of reaction – which is all great for getting as much input as possible during the consultation.

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

Dublin City Council is one of the key providers of housing in the city. The Council lets and manages 27,000 homes, 11,000 of which are flats or apartments arranged in 249 flat complexes, 106 of which provide homes for older people.

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

The Precinct Improvement Projects (or PIPs) are a programme of improvement works in housing schemes run by the Council’s Housing Department.