|
The competition brief was for the development of affordable apartments
on the site located at the junction of Holles St. and Fenian St.
The brief required provision of a retail unit at ground level and
apartments on the upper floors. The number of apartments was at
the discretion of the competitor. Affordability was also stated
as an important factor in the brief.
The proposed solution of six floors of apartments over the ground
floor retail unit is a response to the organiser's requirement to
take account of the prominent corner site and for affordable and
sustainable housing.
The Holles Street elevation forms a slow curve at upper floor levels
beyond the original building line, with horizontal and vertical
window openings as a functional response to the room daylighting
requirements. The almost acute angle achieved at the Holles Street
and Fenian Street junction, together with the vertical glazed screens
containing "winter garden" balconies, achieve through
functionality alone, a prominent corner feature. The proposed concrete
frame construction, single skin block with high density external
insulation covered in a render/ dash relieved by hanging clay tiles,
is a further response for the need to attain an affordable solution.
|
