This is not a shelter. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
15/09/2021.
[Dublin] Ireland
metalocus, RAMIRO ISAURRALDE
metalocus, RAMIRO ISAURRALDE
McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects has designed the renovation and expansion of the Candle Community building, in the working-class suburb of Ballyfermot, southeast of Dublin.
The proposal, which houses the vulnerable populations in the area, redefines the concept of refuge, trying to break (in part literally) with the design dogmas that usually accompany and limit this type of assignment.
The work has been recognized nationally and internationally, obtaining awards such as the "Irish Architecture Award" granted by the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) or the recent nomination for the EU Mies Awards 2022.
The proposal, which houses the vulnerable populations in the area, redefines the concept of refuge, trying to break (in part literally) with the design dogmas that usually accompany and limit this type of assignment.
The work has been recognized nationally and internationally, obtaining awards such as the "Irish Architecture Award" granted by the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) or the recent nomination for the EU Mies Awards 2022.
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Preexisting building. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Preexisting building. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects. Photograph by Richard Hatch
Aerial view. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Existing site plan. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Proposal site plan. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Ground floor plan. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
East elevation. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
East elevation. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
South elevation. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
North elevation. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
West elevation. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Section. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Section. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Axonometric. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Descriptive sketch. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Roof detail. Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
The old Candle Community Trust building, built in the 70s, has been remodelled and expanded by the Irish studio McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects in an attempt to rectify several elements that were understood to be common at that time, but which today obscure and even damage the user experience in place.
The rigid limits that marked the previous scenario were now replaced by an open proposal, prioritizing the large windows and the connection with the outside, in pursuit of a "non-defensive" architecture, which contributes from the project to fight the stigmas that these institutions daily carry.
The exposed brick of the exterior of the building contrasts with the chain of poplars that guides the route to the large pedestrian access that links the old part of the centre with the proposal. Inside, the roofs that are irregular in height and inclination are complemented by the colourful corridors that culminate in different rooms for rest, leisure and offices.
The rigid limits that marked the previous scenario were now replaced by an open proposal, prioritizing the large windows and the connection with the outside, in pursuit of a "non-defensive" architecture, which contributes from the project to fight the stigmas that these institutions daily carry.
The exposed brick of the exterior of the building contrasts with the chain of poplars that guides the route to the large pedestrian access that links the old part of the centre with the proposal. Inside, the roofs that are irregular in height and inclination are complemented by the colourful corridors that culminate in different rooms for rest, leisure and offices.
Description of project by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Candle Community
Candle Community Trust was founded during the 1970’s in response to youth needs in Ballyfermot, a Dublin suburb largely of social housing, strong community though blighted by drug abuse and school ‘drop-out’. This project is about shelter, refuge, an oasis of care, repair and well-being to redress the precarious life states in which some local young people find themselves. Candle’s ethos - respect through education, therapeutic support for youth suffering trauma is admirable. The brief was for a series of new consultation, activity and ancillary rooms. Universal Design was fundamental to our collective thinking.
On our first site-visit (despite the bleak, hostile entry) we were struck by the oasis quality, an impressive rhythmic east-west line of mature poplars though extensive fencing precluded enjoyable landscape and the tar-macadamed entrance lacked pedestrian welcome. The existing 1970’s single storey, L shaped, red brick building with turquoise low pitch metaldeck roofing provided basic enclosure, relying on surface mounted, metal roller shutters for protection. While answering a real anti-social problem, this device signalled a defensive stance wholly inappropriate to the spirit of Candle. Rectifying this was our primary goal. Doing so within a limited budget acting sustainably, our design challenge was one of reimagining a formal integrity through extension while harnessing resources of - sun, trees and the existing building (despite its limitations). Our new 3D terracotta toned wedge form linked to the existing, creating new external spatial arrangements - a welcoming brick, south facing entrance court accessible to all and an east facing calming lawn.
Confirming brick as the major external material, nods of yellow ochre and wine red signal the new circulation/social space - an interior of edgier intense colours in rhythmic order chiming visual integrity while allowing individual expressions of orange, magenta, white, powder blue. As architects we understood the challenge for Candle Community’s youth as - the need to be part of a collective while supporting self expression, respecting and encouraging choices in working towards personal well-being. Our secondary material was timber for the necessary shutters. We extended our recessed wall depth, non-climbable vertical hit / miss sliding timber screens to reworked opes in the existing building now forming the east face of our new entrance court. We judged the risk of a bespoke, timber sliding shutter design, worth its potential as positive, non-defensive signal to the community which in practice has proven successful.
More information
Architects
Project team
Siobhán Ní Éanaigh. Michael McGarry. Ronan McCann.
Collaborators
Quantity surveyor.- Austin Reddy and Company. Structural engineering.- Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers. Environmental.- Proteus Consulting Engineers.
Client
Builder
Area
Total area.- 5,250 sqm. Usable floor area.- 740 sqm.
Dates
Beginning.- 2017. Completion.- January 2021.
Location
Ballyfermot, Dublin, Ireland.
Photography
Michael McGarry. Siobhán Ní Éanaigh. McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects is a design-based award-winning experienced architectural practice established in 1985. Their practice provides a client-focused design service predicated on respect, honesty, creativity, and professionalism.
They are passionate about design and how it can enhance human activity. They bring an understanding of how spaces and buildings are and might be used, based on over thirty years of experience in the design and the delivery of successful projects.
Their built work ranges from the bespoke fit out of a single office space to large education buildings, from furniture to pedestrian bridges, from living rooms to civic spaces. The quality of their work has been recognised in over 70 major national and international design excellence awards.
They lead an inclusive design and project management process based on team endeavour involving a wide range of players from the client/end user, design team through to the building contractor and the wider community.
They carefully analyse client needs, producing design solutions that give spatial coherence to often complex situations involving competing criteria. They communicate effectively using a range of media appropriate to the situation. Physical models figure prominently in all of their projects.
Michael McGarry and Siobhán Ní Éanaigh are the founding and managing partners / directors with responsibility for the overall design output and service content of the practice. Matt MacDonagh-Dumler is a director with particular expertise in project delivery, detail design, the law relating to construction, procurement, compliance, and contract.
Michael McGarry
Founding Director
Skilled and experienced architect and urban designer with over 40 years engagement in practice and academia in Ireland, the UK and Germany. Currently director in McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects and Professor of Architecture at the School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast. Experience includes involvement in some of the most significant buildings and urban developments of the twentieth century, eg Lloyds in London and master-planning for International Building Exhibition Berlin. Director of Group 91 Architects (winners of the Temple Bar Framework Plan and the RTPI Abercrombie Gold Medal), and Urban Projects (winners of the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing).
Siobhán Ní Éanaigh
Founding Director
A skilled architect and design thinker with decades of professional experience in Ireland and mainland Europe including with the IBA Berlin’84/87. A founding partner/director of McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects with strengths of high quality public sector architecture - the practice work being nominated for the 2010 OECD Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities, its design for Smithfield Public Space winning the inaugural joint CCCB European Prize for Urban Public Space, and in 2017 a UIA Medal for Coláiste Ailigh. A previous Board Member of An Chomhairle Éalaíon / The Arts Council of Ireland, she has been awarded an EU Research Fellowship and a PhD in Architecture and Design.
They are passionate about design and how it can enhance human activity. They bring an understanding of how spaces and buildings are and might be used, based on over thirty years of experience in the design and the delivery of successful projects.
Their built work ranges from the bespoke fit out of a single office space to large education buildings, from furniture to pedestrian bridges, from living rooms to civic spaces. The quality of their work has been recognised in over 70 major national and international design excellence awards.
They lead an inclusive design and project management process based on team endeavour involving a wide range of players from the client/end user, design team through to the building contractor and the wider community.
They carefully analyse client needs, producing design solutions that give spatial coherence to often complex situations involving competing criteria. They communicate effectively using a range of media appropriate to the situation. Physical models figure prominently in all of their projects.
Michael McGarry and Siobhán Ní Éanaigh are the founding and managing partners / directors with responsibility for the overall design output and service content of the practice. Matt MacDonagh-Dumler is a director with particular expertise in project delivery, detail design, the law relating to construction, procurement, compliance, and contract.
Michael McGarry
Founding Director
Skilled and experienced architect and urban designer with over 40 years engagement in practice and academia in Ireland, the UK and Germany. Currently director in McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects and Professor of Architecture at the School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast. Experience includes involvement in some of the most significant buildings and urban developments of the twentieth century, eg Lloyds in London and master-planning for International Building Exhibition Berlin. Director of Group 91 Architects (winners of the Temple Bar Framework Plan and the RTPI Abercrombie Gold Medal), and Urban Projects (winners of the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing).
Siobhán Ní Éanaigh
Founding Director
A skilled architect and design thinker with decades of professional experience in Ireland and mainland Europe including with the IBA Berlin’84/87. A founding partner/director of McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects with strengths of high quality public sector architecture - the practice work being nominated for the 2010 OECD Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities, its design for Smithfield Public Space winning the inaugural joint CCCB European Prize for Urban Public Space, and in 2017 a UIA Medal for Coláiste Ailigh. A previous Board Member of An Chomhairle Éalaíon / The Arts Council of Ireland, she has been awarded an EU Research Fellowship and a PhD in Architecture and Design.
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