Belvedere College: Masterplan
Belvedere College S.J. is a renowned Dublin education institution. While many schools moved out of the city to expand on green sites, Belvedere has remained in its place since 1820. In the early 1990s it became apparent that the institution would have to make major changes in order to meet fire safety, disabled access and other statutory shortfalls. In 1995 Murray O'Laoire Architects were appointed to design a master plan to develop a course for the future of the institution. The resulting master plan called for new state of the art classrooms and various internal works to enhance the environment and spatial flow. Because of the location of the school it was decided that whilst modernising the site it would also be "externally quiet in its expression" while assisting to reinforce the fragmented block structure of the area.
Major renovations to the existing buildings including updating all the classrooms, were completed in 1997 as part of Phase 1. A rooftop sprint track was also installed at this phase.
Phase 2 of the project was completed in 1999. The work primarily comprised of the development of an underground carpark, a rooftop sports field and the O'Reilly Theatre; a multi-purpose hall to cater to the sophisticated demands of the school’s curriculum including operatic/dramatic productions, masses, assemblies, examinations, and various extra-curricular functions. A rectangular auditorium of 20 x 21 metres with a stage of 10 x 21m, a large platform lift and retractable seating was provided. The hall is conceived acoustically for a singing human voice. A gigantic cubist bas relief breaks the rectangularity of the space, suppressing echoes and enriching sound. The theatre now plays host to a variety of local events including part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
Phase 3 included the expansion of the Junior School’s library and introduction of a computer suite. A museum was also created for Belvedere's sporting achievements and the distinguished Alma Mater.
Phase 4 saw the construction of the Dargan Moloney Science & Technology Building. Situated on the corner of Temple Street and Great Denmark Street, it is the first of two buildings that will flank the O’Reilly Theatre in the centre of the block. This new Science and Technology Building is one of the most modern in the country, blending functionality, versatility and aesthetic to augment the study and recreational of facets of the school. The large open multi-functional atrium acts as a refectory during the day and as a foyer during theatre performances. The space is characterised by the black slate floor, the warmth of the beech slatted walls and the beech and mahogany staircase.
A new internal street, constructed over two phases, was created in the space between the 1950’s junior school, the O’Reilly Theatre and the Dargan Moloney Building. This leads, in a series of ramped spaces, towards the theatre foyer, the college reception and the box office. The placing of the new pieces creates, in a series of simple moves, order and a sense of place. The concourse is made of board-marked concrete, detailed to feel like a street. The concrete is given a warm sandy colour obtained by careful selection of aggregate. Punctuated by contrasting levels of daylight from both the courtyard and the lightwell, the character of the space is both fluid and visually appealing. Together with the black slate floor and the beech cladding to the atrium, a sense of permanence is created which is not devoid of sensual experience.
Externally, the project reconstitutes the urban fabric in a strategy where large modern buildings can co-exist in dialogue with the historic surroundings. A light-coloured stock brick was selected for the two new buildings. Several of the details of the O’Reilly Theatre Building complement the massing and the over-sized 'windows' around the sports roof create a sense of scale and monumentality, while revealing unexpected views of Dublin. The redbrick façade and general elevation of the Dargan Moloney Building make reference to the Georgian settings while at the same time it stands out as a contemporary building.
Posted by Reflecting City Team on Thursday, October 02, 2008
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