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ORMOND QUAY COMMERCIAL PROJECT
2004
Developer:
Benton Property Holding Ltd.
Total area: 5400sq. m.
Site Area: 1216 sq m.
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In 2004, Dublin City Council invited tenders for a site that it owned on Ormond Quay on the North side of the quays in Dublin. The tender had to include an architectural proposal as well as a monitory offer.
The site is adjacent to the Four Courts - one of Dublin’s ‘grand buildings’. The only architectural stipulation was that the height of the Dome of the Fours Courts was to be respected.
The practice was asked by Benton Property Holding Ltd to prepare an architectural proposal for their tender of a commercial development. The proposed building is a new generation office building designed around a core positioned to allow the form of the building to change in response to the varying requirements of each side of the site. Car parking and deliveries are provided for in a basement. The height of the building respects the dominant height of the Four Courts while reflecting the general maximum parapet height of 6 storeys found elsewhere along the quays. The 7th storey is presented as a pavilion in the way a number of Dublin buildings are topped with cupolas.To respect the low residential scale of Ormond Square, the building drops down to 4 storeys at the rear.
The plan presents a formal entrance to the quays and a general entrance is created on Charles Street.This entrance also caters for the anticipated arrival of staff and visits from the new Luas stop at the Four Courts. This street is further enlivened by the retail unit at the corner with Ormond Quay and the entrance to the residential unit above with its balcony overlooking the street.
