This ATU Architectural Design Studio pilot frames a new narrative for place-based solutions which can shape the renewal and transformation of coastal Irish towns while simultaneously addressing key criteria identified within the HCI project e.g., SDG13 & SDG 11.1.
Year 3 Design Studio used the contemporary harbour town of Killybegs in County Donegal to shape a new urban vision, providing opportunities to generate landscapes, spaces, and facilities for residents and visitors, initiatives that contribute to making the town and harbour a more vibrant and economically active place – and, equally, to contribute to the local character and distinctiveness of the place under the auspices of sustainable development and resilient design for climate change.
The pilot project encompasses 3 separate design projects, focused on interventions for vacant sites, place-based improvements, and adaptive re-use of existing buildings, with focus on regenerative design to strive for a future where human civilisation evolves as one part of nature that is following its own laws of circularity.
Design project number one developed proposals for a community and cultural gateway building which provides educational and cultural facilities for the local community and visitors. This project is distinctly related to place, with proposals being developed for a Community Library, a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway to west Donegal and a new gallery exhibition space dedicated to climate and energy. The project includes public realm design proposals for the towns seafront to enhance the public experience of place while concurrently providing a resilient sea front design for sea level rises in the future.
Design Project number two focusses on design proposals for the adaptive re-use of Liam McCormick’s Auction House building, an industrial structure which is embedded into the Killybegs waterfront located on one of the town piers.
Design project number three addresses issues around living and working in Irish towns. The project proposal is for a mixed tenure housing solution where private, social, and affordable housing will be accommodated beside live work units to encourage and promote new modes of living and working in the town.
