DESIGN EXCHANGE, SHANDON, CORK

 

This proposal develops a strong interplay between the existing architectural elements and new programmatic insertions in the form of a Design Fabrication Lab, Workshop Space, Café, Design Studio Spaces, Public Meeting Spaces, Community Theater, and the possibility of additional facilities for the Cork Butter Museum. The wider aim of the design is to create a series of interconnected and porous spaces that allow for varied user and public experience.

 

The historic roof profiles of the Butter Exchange and Weigh-Masters House are considered the reference point for a dramatic roof structure which connects the various new elements across the site. This new roof aligns horizontally with the uppermost level ot the front portico, and due to its careful configuration of solid and glazed section- it acts as a filtering device that, sectionally, filters light through to the interior spaces in dramatic fashion. 

 

There are also several moments within the scheme where the internal and external areas develop an interplay and connection - a garden on the ground floor that connects to the public realm on Exchange Street by two new openings in the front wall, a roof terrace on the first floor, and two public viewing platforms on the third floor. Whilst most of the structure is aligned with the top of the front portico and bounded by the existing walls of the Exchange Building, these viewing platforms are designed to extend beyond the site boundary. The purpose and aim of this design move, is to subtly highlight the new activities on site to the passer-by, while also to providing points within the street that create a visual vantage point, that looks out over the entire city and up to St. Annes Church and its belltower.

 

Design : Jason O'Shaughnessy and Eoin French

 

* Study undertaken by Cork City Council in collaboration with Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and Coordinated by CIT Project Group with Orla Flynn (Project Leader), and Marc O’Rian (Project Manager).