RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Southern - Over £100,000

This conversion is a delight. It has turned a utilitarian structure (an icehouse) into a living, useful building of real relevance to the community it serves. The conversion is stylish and assured, taking its design cues from the plan form of the original structure, and building and developing that theme. Civic landmark buildings are needed throughout this country and this prominent example can be a model for many. The client is to be especially commended for this project.

Architects' Description
The project entailed finding a satisfactory functional layout, offering flexibility, within a very limited given area, while at the same time modifying the existing shell, reducing its scale, and developing a strong visual image appropriate to its location and use. The design and detail sets out to give a positive maritime expression and identity to the new facility, with a view to making it an attractive, modern and inviting focus in this important remote fishing community.

Client's Comment
BIM wished to establish a new Regional Fisheries Centre in Castletownbere. The primary funstion was to be as a centre for training and other BIM development activities, but it was also important to allow for community interaction and to show a strong BIM presence. The architects worked with the marine location and prodcuced an excellent building which, not only fits into the harbour, with vessels moored alongside, but also faces towards the town square, thereby interacting with the larger community. This was achieved despite difficult physical and financial constraints.