We have designed the new centre with the town of Carlow in mind. It is a multi layered and multi facetted structure which will provide for a new spine of urban growth and a network of movement and connections. The ‘green loop’ will provide an extendable new public landscape.
The centre is an open, working structure. Its many components are visible, articulated and accessible to the public. The processes of making, installation and display of art are enabled in a structure that will also provide for the educational, cultural, leisure and recreational needs and desires of the town.
urban strategy
The
new centre is positioned along the length of the eastern boundary of
the site. The main elevation and entry is to the College Green . The
massing of this elevation, and of the entire building, takes into account
the volume and importance of the Cathedral and St Patrick’s College.
The building is lower than the ridgeline of St Patrick’s but the
general
massing is robust and contemporary. The new centre will be an expression
of its function and our times just as the Cathedral and College were
expressions of their own times.
While the main entry façade is to the quadrangle, by placing the centre along the length of the site we have opened up new possibilities for public space and connections to the town. The galleries and main public functions are raised off the ground plane. This allows for a protected public plaza in front of the entry area and under the galleries for outdoor exhibition and performance.
We
have proposed a ‘green loop’ to connect and embed the new
centre into the fabric of Carlow. This loop will connect the Court House
to the Cathedral in a landscaped ‘programmed’ pedestrian
walk. The loop is planted, with
seating areas, jogging tracks, areas for the of display and performance
of art and information. Events such as the Eigse Arts Festival can take
place here.
