RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Western - Under £200,000

Kennys Bookshop in Galway is both a national institution and a mecca for book lovers; it is the quintissential bookshop.

The design of the Atrium captures this essential quality. An open timber gallery surrounds a high roof lit space lined with books and creates an ambience which is evocative of the traditional bookshop.

Architects' Comment
The gallery and bookshop were physically connected by a narrow single storey link and external yard with the result that there was no visual link between the two and each element had its own distinctive character but did not benefit from any synergy of one with the other.

The design solution was to demolish the single link and replace it with a three storey, top lit atrium with circulation/display balconies at first and second floor levels. The space was surrounded by buildings on all four sides and as some of the walls were the remains of a 16th century tower house, the new atrium contains stone features such as window and door embrasures, used as sculpture display areas thereby continuing Kennys' existing ambience.

Client's Comment
The brief to our architects was to "retain our hard-won ambience and character and make our buildings more efficient".

Today we have a cascade of light in a new and stylish heart of the building, more selling space, accessibility and efficiency, and even more character. The space is a high quality, highly functional addition, which is a joy for staff and customers alike.