Grangegorman, Dublin
This residential development, for a motorcycle enthusiast, adjacent to No.10 Grangegorman Villas, Grangegorman, Dublin 7 is an alternative reaction to the more traditional city centre infill residential projects; an unapologetic piece of architecture sitting within a strong urban context defined by both site and planning constraints. The building is essentially two living plates over a workshop connected by a vertical service and circulation core.
While the character of this new structure is unmistakably contemporary, it has been designed to sit discreetly within its more traditional context, while giving the end of the terrace the strong presence it deserves. The break up of the building’s main elements, defined in elevation by the horizontal structural lines, help to identify the structure and functions contained behind. The building profile is further strengthened with a deliberately weighted treatment to the openings at first and ground floor level adding to the aura of secrecy as to what’s contained within.
An external terrace area has been provided at the front section of the upper floor, increasing the visual and physical depth of the open plan living accommodation. The external screen to the deck area has been fabricated using vertical aluminium fins to match the satin-anodised aluminium cladding to the fixed and opening sections below. This reduces the perceived bulk of the building, depending on the viewer’s position, and alters the appearance of the structure over a twenty four hour period.
The building is entered under a canopy, which extends internally to create a ‘suppressed’ area inside the front door, emphasising a triple height stairwell beyond. The experience of this space is further enhanced through the introduction of a full width rooflight running the full length of the building, flooding this volume with natural light