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BALLYROAN PARISH CENTRE
BALLYROAN PARISH CENTRE
Project Featured on Apr 17, 2016
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Other Projects by Box Architecture
BALLYROAN PARISH CENTRE
Project Featured on Apr 17, 2016
The client, South Dublin County
Council, approached our office to refurbish and extend the existing library of
Marian Road in Ballyroan, Rathfarnham in 2006. The brief expanded and, as part
of the project, we were asked to look at refurbishing the
existing community centre,
which was in need of upgrading to modern space and environmental standards. It
became quite evident early on that the extent of area required for the pastoral
element was too large and a separate building was required.
This was somewhat dictated by the space required but also by the presence of
the boiler house and cast insitu chimney, which was retained and became a focus
to the new civic space as the church and environs are protected structures.
Site context
The church was constructed in
the late 1960s by architect Raymond F Mac Donnell and is a very fine example of
1960s church architecture; well worth a detour with an elegant structure and
very impressive modern stained glass windows. The
existing community centre sits
on the church site. The library is somewhat hidden behind a 1950s local centre
which is in need of updating. The combination of the sites provides for an
l-shaped site. The library is on hold but hopefully should be realised in
the not too distant future.
Once three buildings were established, the concept was to create a new sequence
of public spaces and draw people in from the front of the church by the
community centre into a shared central square and into the library.
Pastoral Centre
The initial idea was to create
a spiritual building which was private; a solid element which is carved out or
punched to create light and privacy. A-25-year-old anniversary oak tree was to
be retained and sparked off the idea to create a building arranged
around internal courtyards with
the oak tree located in the largest courtyard. As this is a spiritual and
sometimes private building, it was important that views in and out were
controlled to avoid disturbances. To this end, we have provided very selective
openings to maintain this
privacy. Courtyards have obscure glass or are focused internally; openings with
clear glass provide glimpses from within and from the outside: the main
entrance, the fully open able doors from the main hall for use in larger
gatherings,
the flush square window to the west to the large meeting room and the high
level sky view window over the kitchen. All windows are kept flush except for
the high level kitchen window to maintain the solid feel. To signify that the
building is open, the
large timber pivot door is opened
leading one into a low stone-lined entry space with a simple bench to sit and
gather. The timber element continues as an open set of fins to create an open,
yet enclosed transition entry space. Building materials are carefully
limited to create a calm
spiritual feeling; simple rendered walls, timber doors, stone floors and glazed
screens affording views into the inner courtyards. Rooflights are arranged to
highlight the movement of light, again signifying the spiritual nature of the
building.
After entering through the
lower covered area one arrives into a taller space, the coffee and tea area
with a small kitchen at the end allowing people to gather. The large hall has
full height doors that enable different room layouts and privacy when required
and fold neatly back into the designed location. The volume reduces as one
enters the more private areas of the building. The first small room is the
prayer room with its own small courtyard. Further along; a glimpse of the
larger tree-filled courtyard starts to appear. Three more public rooms are
arranged around this inner sanctum, the end of which has an obscure glazed
screen to provide privacy and allow a plays of light. The last room is the
priest’s room, which has its own private courtyard with an obscure glass screen
to the outside. The toilets and main office are roof-lit.
Ballyroan Community & Youth
Centre
There is an image of the
refurbished building on the panels in context with the church. The layouts have
been improved and rationalised and arranged around the retained main hall area,
which mimicked the church and is a simple pitched element.
Energy
The buildings are conceived as
being very energy efficient and close to passive house standards with elements
u value of 0.16 w/ m2k throughout and the building achieved an A2 BER rating.
Heat recovery units assist in the recirculation of the air with the need
only for a domestic size
boiler.
Council, approached our office to refurbish and extend the existing library of
Marian Road in Ballyroan, Rathfarnham in 2006. The brief expanded and, as part
of the project, we were asked to look at refurbishing the
existing community centre,
which was in need of upgrading to modern space and environmental standards. It
became quite evident early on that the extent of area required for the pastoral
element was too large and a separate building was required.
This was somewhat dictated by the space required but also by the presence of
the boiler house and cast insitu chimney, which was retained and became a focus
to the new civic space as the church and environs are protected structures.
Site context
The church was constructed in
the late 1960s by architect Raymond F Mac Donnell and is a very fine example of
1960s church architecture; well worth a detour with an elegant structure and
very impressive modern stained glass windows. The
existing community centre sits
on the church site. The library is somewhat hidden behind a 1950s local centre
which is in need of updating. The combination of the sites provides for an
l-shaped site. The library is on hold but hopefully should be realised in
the not too distant future.
Once three buildings were established, the concept was to create a new sequence
of public spaces and draw people in from the front of the church by the
community centre into a shared central square and into the library.
Pastoral Centre
The initial idea was to create
a spiritual building which was private; a solid element which is carved out or
punched to create light and privacy. A-25-year-old anniversary oak tree was to
be retained and sparked off the idea to create a building arranged
around internal courtyards with
the oak tree located in the largest courtyard. As this is a spiritual and
sometimes private building, it was important that views in and out were
controlled to avoid disturbances. To this end, we have provided very selective
openings to maintain this
privacy. Courtyards have obscure glass or are focused internally; openings with
clear glass provide glimpses from within and from the outside: the main
entrance, the fully open able doors from the main hall for use in larger
gatherings,
the flush square window to the west to the large meeting room and the high
level sky view window over the kitchen. All windows are kept flush except for
the high level kitchen window to maintain the solid feel. To signify that the
building is open, the
large timber pivot door is opened
leading one into a low stone-lined entry space with a simple bench to sit and
gather. The timber element continues as an open set of fins to create an open,
yet enclosed transition entry space. Building materials are carefully
limited to create a calm
spiritual feeling; simple rendered walls, timber doors, stone floors and glazed
screens affording views into the inner courtyards. Rooflights are arranged to
highlight the movement of light, again signifying the spiritual nature of the
building.
After entering through the
lower covered area one arrives into a taller space, the coffee and tea area
with a small kitchen at the end allowing people to gather. The large hall has
full height doors that enable different room layouts and privacy when required
and fold neatly back into the designed location. The volume reduces as one
enters the more private areas of the building. The first small room is the
prayer room with its own small courtyard. Further along; a glimpse of the
larger tree-filled courtyard starts to appear. Three more public rooms are
arranged around this inner sanctum, the end of which has an obscure glazed
screen to provide privacy and allow a plays of light. The last room is the
priest’s room, which has its own private courtyard with an obscure glass screen
to the outside. The toilets and main office are roof-lit.
Ballyroan Community & Youth
Centre
There is an image of the
refurbished building on the panels in context with the church. The layouts have
been improved and rationalised and arranged around the retained main hall area,
which mimicked the church and is a simple pitched element.
Energy
The buildings are conceived as
being very energy efficient and close to passive house standards with elements
u value of 0.16 w/ m2k throughout and the building achieved an A2 BER rating.
Heat recovery units assist in the recirculation of the air with the need
only for a domestic size
boiler.
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