Clonskeagh
Situated between the banks of the river Dodder and Clonskeagh road, the proposed apartments are are sited on the grounds of a former paper mill, earning the development the nickname ‘The Paper Mill apartments.’
The layout of the scheme takes its impetus from these two disparate boundary conditions – the river and the road. On a macro, as well as a micro scale, the scheme needed to maximise the number of river view apartments on one side, whilst knitting into the existing street fabric of cottages on the other. Resolving this tension became the catalyst for the granted scheme.
Site Plan of Proposed scheme
Key to the development is the visual link into the site and beyond to the river. This is to be achieved by creating a small entrance plaza leading into the site and providing a larger splayed gap through to the river. This gives into a landscaped communal courtyard which in turn leads onto the river edge. The gap in the buildings is thus moved closer to the weir, the most dramatic view, and sound, on this stretch of the Dodder.
The river as part of the place.
View of the riverside apartments
The scheme consists of four blocks; three onto the river and one onto Clonskeagh Road. The buildings are mainly four storey over a podium, with a two storey building edging Clonskeagh Road, the latter having little presence on the road.
The materials and external design of the scheme are intended to reinforce the riverside and natural setting. Natural coloured bricks in russet and sand colours combine with extensive areas of landscaped gardens and courtyards. Glazed areas are simply fenestrated and balcony edges are also glazed. The base of the building and the riverside walk are as per that determined under the conditions of the existing permission.
The layout allows for people friendly places. The green riverside route through the site facilitate desire lines in the neighbourhood. There is an inviting vista from Clonskeagh Road with the corner apartment block marking the entrance and framing the view. The environment within is car free and pedestrian friendly – a sequence of gardens to the front door of each block.