Further to the previous presentation to RICC of the proposed new community facility there has been a process of rigorous design development to rationalise the initial concept scheme whilst strengthening the key concepts.  To maximise the building’s usable space and to better integrate the uses within, some reconfiguration has been carried out, this has resulted in an improved and developed design.  The layout changes have resulted in a much more efficient layout, with minimum circulation and where as much as possible spaces have been given the potential for multiple and compatible uses.

A Building for the Community

Our proposal for this new building is that it can be read as a series of linked, yet autonomous buildings or spaces within an organising community structure thus encouraging interaction between neighbours, friends and colleagues alike.

The entire community facility has been relocated in the front block facing onto Thorncastle Street over three levels. The creation of a light, spacious and inviting community centre provides an integrated environment for all users, staff and the general public.  A good quality of environment is achieved by ensuring all rooms avail of natural lighting and ventilation.  This is also further enhanced by top lighting the sports hall in the centre of the plan which allows the surrounding rooms and corridors to borrow light, in addition to the direct lighting.

Behind the elegant entrance façade, the building presents a literal cross-section of the complex; on view are the sports hall, cyber café, and exhibition spaces.

Sports Hall & Changing Suite

The top-lit, multi-purpose sports hall is sized to accommodate a full national league basketball court in addition to two full size badminton courts. This arrangement also has the potential to be easily sub-divided into a wide permutation of formats, basketball, tennis, badminton, 5-a-side soccer, martial arts, indoor archery and bowls.  Terraced seating for approximately 200 spectators has also been provided in the form of retractable bleachers that when not in use can easily be stowed away by folding the seating ‘into the wall’.  In their extended position they would sit partly over the badminton courts. In the case of a basketball game they would allow suitable room to circulate around the court and space to accommodate official’s tables etc. At the upper level, overlooking the hall, the cyber café acts as a permanent viewers’ gallery.

The sports hall can also be readily configured to serve the wider neighbourhood requirements for a public venue with the flexibility to accommodate events such as theatre performances, with the bleachers extended, or large exhibitions.

By re-locating the changing room suite to the North façade direct access can be gained from the changing rooms to the sports hall, with access to this area and the sports hall controlled by the reception area.  The changing rooms now have the opportunity to avail of natural light and ventilation and are each sized to accommodate up to 15 persons.  Ample showers and WC facilities have been provided to accommodate the various sports hall users and visitors.

Community Centre

The entrance/reception and exhibition area is the hub of the proposal and given a strong position at the front of the building clearly organises the functions of the community facilities.  Through a development of the design and a better use of space the entrance has now been intensified and is strategically located to effectively monitor both horizontal and vertical circulation into and around the building. 

The integration of the exhibition space into the entrance hall allows for a flexible space that can adapted for many functions.  Highly transparent to Thorncastle Street this space can also be opened up to the main sports hall allowing visual links in to the building and potential to adapt to different events.

The dynamic projection to the North enclosing a welcoming forecourt to Thorncastle Street, has now been reserved for meeting rooms for a range of users including yoga, palates, karate, keep-fit, Irish dancing and hip hop, proclaiming the activities within the complex to the wider community and neighbourhood.

The cyber café designed to cater for 20 computers, is on full view to the public and will be an attractive environment overlooking the sports hall and exhibition area, an informal space integral to the working of the facility.  The retirement group, with their private terrace, have been relocated to encourage closer links to the community centre, this location allows them a level of privacy while still maintaining links with the crèche if desired. Adjoining the dividable meeting room is a computer room for use by youths and others within the centre, the design would include North facing windows providing the best quality lighting for computer use.

The Youth Services Room has been relocated to the upper level of the front block in a bright open space overlooking the entrance to the Community Centre.    Opening from the Youth Services Room a substantial terrace is located over the Northern wing of the building.  This external hard landscaped area would provide a substantial and flexible space which would also afford some fantastic views to the city.

Adjoining the Youth Services Room is the administration suite, which now overlooks all of the spaces within the community centre and also the approach and entrance to the building, adding another level of passive security and interaction between the building’s functions. To promote flexibility and potential for duality of uses one of the meeting rooms has been located adjoining the administration and Manager’s office.

By reconfiguring the plan layout of the building, it has now been possible to locate 15 car parking spaces and bicycle parking to the side of the building.  This parking would be dedicated to the staff for both the community centre and crèche in addition to spaces for the commercial offices.

Commercial Unit

The design of the offices has been developed to read as an integrated part of the overall community centre design. To the upper level of the front block, one level of open plan office has been provided, this space benefits from a terrace opening onto Thorncastle Street and is provided with secure own door access.  A shallow plan allows for maximum day lighting to the office space and also the opportunity for natural ventilation of the office spaces.  The open plan accommodation easily has the potential to be subdivided as is required.

Site Strategy

The footprint of the facility is a broad rectangle with a dynamic projection to the North set back and enclosing a welcoming forecourt to Thorncastle Street.  This is an informal space for people to gather and is visually open to the activities within the building. 15 secure car parking spaces have been provided along the landscaped laneway to the North, with a crèche drop-off, accommodating 5 vehicles adjacent to the crèche entrance. A riverside walk is proposed along the River edge of the site reinstating links with the Dodder and a public pontoon would be provided. A generous external play space can be accessed directly from the crèche and extends into the adjoining land to the South.  A landscaped garden provides a physical buffer and an element of separation and security between the public and the children at play.

Crèche

A crèche facility providing daycare for 100 children with appropriate indoor and outdoor space is integrated into the design.  This facility has the capability of autonomous use, or can be linked / accessed from the main reception area of the building as desired.  Due to the large number of children catered for, playgroups have been broken down into compatible ages.  Younger children and infants are isolated immediately upon entry, and access their separate zone via a lift.  This has the benefit of providing secure indoor and (covered) external play spaces at balcony level away from the more robust play of the older children.  Direct access is allowed for to the larger playground from this level if required.  Older groups utilise the lower levels with direct access to the ample external play spaces.  In order to provide playrooms with maximum daylight and ventilation and views, circulation is now single banked with the rooms all forming the perimeter edge.  Corridors and internal rooms borrow light from the top-lit sports hall. Administration and staff facilities are located at the upper level, overlooking the entrance and external play spaces to provide passive supervision.

Our interpretation of the provision of care for 100 children has taken into account the relevant regulations and recommendations available. The facility provides for 9 no. Infants (0 - 12 Months old), 18 no. Children (1 - 2 Years old), 30 No. Children (2 - 3 Years old), 30 No. Children (3 - 6 Years old), 13 no. Children (6 -10 Years old) and would require 22 staff based on the recommended ratios.  This ratio of age groups set out above, is based on the recommendations and guidance set out by ADM & NCNP, however we would recommend that a local study be undertaken so that the optimum proportion of age groups can be provided for.