ArchiAssets

Value Creation | Intellectual Property


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Design A - Shallow Dome 2 Storey Enclosure ( 2 no.) + Viewing Platform Opposite on Merchants Quay




Projects / Proposals / Four Courts Atria


Location : Dublin, Ireland


Date : >2020

Client : TBC


Concept  : Darragh Murphy 2016

History


The Four Courts is Irelands foremost Courts Building , located on Inns Quay in Dublin.The Design is based upon work commenced by Thomas Cooley in 1776. Following his death,

the Architect James Gandon was appointed to finish the Building. The Building sustained significant damage in 1922 and was reopened ten years later


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Project Proposition


The Four Courts is one of Irelands finest examples of Georgian Architecture but access to the Public is limited due to its function. I propose Roofing the Courtyards using 2 identical Structures to create new Semi Public / Public Spaces. This proposal would enhance and compliment the Four Courts whilst providing exciting and sophisticated Civic Space for Dublin City. These 'Urban Living Rooms' would be multi functional meeting places and allow for Exibits, Performances, Public Lectures, Conferences, Social Events, Dining etc. 


The new Spaces could be accessed separately via installation of new Glazed Booths within the Courtyard Gates. Some functions might be integrated into the Four Courts daytime activities.If in due course the Four Courts were to be transformed into a Museum then the addition of these Courtyard Spaces would greatly enhance such a Proposition. The Courts Service could move to a New Fit for Purpose Masterplanned Campus to the Immediate North East or South of the Four Courts ( Dublin Fruit Market / Merchants Quay Area )


There is Potential for an Enlarged National Museum with capacity for a Larger range of Exibits in a less cluttered layout. With the Addition of these Court Spaces and alongside other Architectural Interventions including a new Public Realm directly opposite on Merchants Quay the Four Courts Complex could in time become a World Class Museum Attraction comparable with those of London Paris Madrid etc.  In such a scenario Admission Fees would be justifiable creating long term Tourist Revenue. Admission Fees might be tapered for Irish Citizens ( Initial visit charged with subsequent visits charged at Nominal Annual Fee )


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Courtyard at Midday




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The Existing Trees on Inns Quay should be removed to fully reveal the Building to the City and a New Viewing Plaza/s  possibly incorporating a Bridge Link/s is proposed opposite the Four Courts on Merchants Quay so as to allow for Improved viewing of the Building. This Plaza would be classical in Layout in order to Harmonise with the Four Courts. The Undulating Shape of the Plaza/s in Plan reflects that of the Proposed Structures to the Courtyards. They also create a Buffer Zone for the Public - a viewing area removed from exisiting Quayside Vehicular Traffic. 


The Plazas and Pedestrian bridges would result in Optimum Vantage Points for viewing the Architecture of the Four Courts. The Proposed 2 Storey Structures enclosing the Courtyards have a Modest Visual Impact from these Vantage Points - Sufficient to be Noteworthy as Interventions but without Detracting from the Overall Building. The Proposed Plaza and Bridge Links to Merchants Quay are somewhat Indicative - intended to be Classical and Minimalistic.



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New Viewing Plaza from Optimal Vantage Points on Merchants Quay Reinforces Classical Architecture of the Four Courts. 


New Pedestrian Bridges are shown in Rudimentary Form. Random Trees on Inns Quay are removed to reveal the Building

2 Storey Domed option for New Courtyards Shown. Roof Structures are somewhat Indicative and subject to refinement.






Potential for Urban Renewal to Urban Quarter Opposite


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Proposal opens up Opportunity for Broader Urban Regeneration including new Urban Quarter between Merchants Quay and Cook St. ( Relocated Courts Service / Enlarged Multi Storey School / High Quality Affordable Residential ). Also Creates Potential for several new Urban Vistas / Links to Four Courts,  Existing Churches and Civic Offices. A Tunnel to take Traffic underneath a Section of Inns Quay could be considered when Planning Long Term. This would allow for a Public Plaza between the Four Courts and the Liffey Bridges.



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Single Plaza & Wider Link Bridge

 



Design B - Full Height Hyperboloid Enclosures


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Proposed Link Bridges & Viewing Plazas to Merchants Quay. These Proposals also create a spin off Opportunity for Valuable Urban Rejuvenation directly opposite the Four Courts. This might include a Fresh Development Opportunity on the Site of MQI with potential for them to Relocate to a New Fit for Purpose Facility in a more Appropriate Location. 


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Potential World Class Museum & Associated Urban Renewal

to Riverfront and Immediate Northside & Southside Vicinity


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Project Description

 

Architectural Intervention in the form of 2 identical Hyperboloid Structures. This proposal Fully encloses the Courtyards but is more Visible on Approach from Inns and Merchant Quays. It is Potentially a more spectacular Duo of Civic Spaces when experienced both Internally and Externally but with Less Flexibility in terms of Floor Plate Usage. Public Plaza , New Bridge Approach also proposed for this Scheme.




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Courtyards lit up at Night + Existing Trees removed contributes to enlivening Inns Quay and Dublin 7. 





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Exemplary Precedents - (Click Links)


Great Court at the British Museum

National Art Gallery Singapore