Industry in the city; The noise from the back yard
Academic project 2017
Architectural Thesis (Awarded SAUL best thesis & shortlisted for the European architecture medals)
Mentors: Merritt Bucholz & Andrew Griffin
Architectural Thesis (Awarded SAUL best thesis & shortlisted for the European architecture medals)
Mentors: Merritt Bucholz & Andrew Griffin
This is my award winning thesis. I completed this work in 2017 whilst studying my final year of architecture in the university of Limerick.
Industry occurs in hermetic zones of warehouses within Limerick city. These industrial estates centralise production just outside of the city boundaries. The worker housing built for industrial centres that have since been abandoned within the city are now degrading into areas of social depravity. There exists small scale production of such a diverse range hidden behind the facades of these forgotten housing estates. This architectural proposal encourages the expansion of the micro industries that exist in the sheds and workshops in the back gardens of a post industrial landscape.
The site of this architectural thesis is situated on the grounds of the former Taits clothing factory. This factory was built in 1850 and represents the former glory of Limericks industrial heritage. It is situated on the South East edge of the city centre and punctures the residential area of Prospect Hill. The backs of these low income houses in Prospect butt against the formidable masonry walls of the factory. This narrow space has the capacity to benefit both the existing residents and the wider city.
Industry occurs in hermetic zones of warehouses within Limerick city. These industrial estates centralise production just outside of the city boundaries. The worker housing built for industrial centres that have since been abandoned within the city are now degrading into areas of social depravity. There exists small scale production of such a diverse range hidden behind the facades of these forgotten housing estates. This architectural proposal encourages the expansion of the micro industries that exist in the sheds and workshops in the back gardens of a post industrial landscape.
The site of this architectural thesis is situated on the grounds of the former Taits clothing factory. This factory was built in 1850 and represents the former glory of Limericks industrial heritage. It is situated on the South East edge of the city centre and punctures the residential area of Prospect Hill. The backs of these low income houses in Prospect butt against the formidable masonry walls of the factory. This narrow space has the capacity to benefit both the existing residents and the wider city.
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Behind the residential blocks are productive sheds, outhouses and workshops. This is where these pragmatic inhabitants tinker, mend and invent. It is evident that these residents have a desire to expand their industries into the wider city of Limerick. The program for the site is a workshop collective. The existing industries are encouraged to expand into this new civic space. The proposal consists of a large shed for city scale projects. Whereas the smaller sheds and yards are utilised for small individual projects. Individual spaces are formed around semi public courtyards which directly interact with the public thoroughfares which cut through the site. This delivery route follows the grain of the factory along its East West axis. The site is entered from the North through proposed paths between the houses.
The spaces of the proposal are occupied with an assortment of activities related to industry. They range in scale depending on what activity is taking place inside. Some are left empty whilst others are crammed depending on the occupier at the time. The semi public courtyards are used as spaces that encourage the collaboration of the people working in the sheds. They form the main link between the private and public spaces. Through this interaction new skills may be acquired. The canopy structure is a steel mainframe in which pre fabricated brick panels are hoisted into place. The individual canopies are supported on concrete columns.
Honest material In a landscape of cheapness there is always moments of surprise. Material is used in ingenious ways and spaces are created against tremendous odds. There are boundaries at every corner in these landscapes. These boundaries manifest themselves economically and physically but are eventually overcome through practical and innovative ways. The material of these spaces is often borrowed, found or accepted as gifts.
In this particular landscape the predominant material is masonry. In this case the old 19th century rubble and cut stone walls of the factory are juxtaposed with bare concrete block walls of the gardens. Therefore this project called for a simple construction method that allowed for a degree of future alteration. Consequently the humble concrete block proves to be a versatile and simple material that can be laid quickly and with relatively little skill. As a result the walls of the shed are constructed from these blocks laid flat. The roof and intermediate levels of the shed structures are simple pre-stressed concrete slabs which are supported by the block walls. The canopies form covered spaces where the sheds converge they are an extension of the work area.
The spaces of the proposal are occupied with an assortment of activities related to industry. They range in scale depending on what activity is taking place inside. Some are left empty whilst others are crammed depending on the occupier at the time. The semi public courtyards are used as spaces that encourage the collaboration of the people working in the sheds. They form the main link between the private and public spaces. Through this interaction new skills may be acquired. The canopy structure is a steel mainframe in which pre fabricated brick panels are hoisted into place. The individual canopies are supported on concrete columns.
Honest material In a landscape of cheapness there is always moments of surprise. Material is used in ingenious ways and spaces are created against tremendous odds. There are boundaries at every corner in these landscapes. These boundaries manifest themselves economically and physically but are eventually overcome through practical and innovative ways. The material of these spaces is often borrowed, found or accepted as gifts.
In this particular landscape the predominant material is masonry. In this case the old 19th century rubble and cut stone walls of the factory are juxtaposed with bare concrete block walls of the gardens. Therefore this project called for a simple construction method that allowed for a degree of future alteration. Consequently the humble concrete block proves to be a versatile and simple material that can be laid quickly and with relatively little skill. As a result the walls of the shed are constructed from these blocks laid flat. The roof and intermediate levels of the shed structures are simple pre-stressed concrete slabs which are supported by the block walls. The canopies form covered spaces where the sheds converge they are an extension of the work area.