Gardens International

Building: Gardens International
Location: Limerick, Ireland

Contractor: J.J. Rhatigan
Architect: Carr Cotter & Naessens Architects in collaboration with Denis Byrne Architects

Summary

CareyGlass are delighted to be involved with the redevelopment of this historic building. Designed by Carr Cotter & Naessens Architects in collaboration with Denis Byrne Architects. Construction by JJ Rhatigan & Company. The five-storey development will be suitable for a range of uses and will be Limerick’s first city centre LEED Gold certified office scheme. It has been designed to a high spec, with a modern office feel dovetailing and entirely complementing the aesthetics of an architecturally significant building considered one of Limerick’s most unique. The building will be completed with a structural glazed façade to provide a high level of environmental control within the office space, minimizing solar gain and reducing imposed air-handling energy requirements. It also includes automated fully glazed entrance doors, natural stone flooring, a turnstile security system, car parking space, cycle bays and other services.

Glass

Spec A
13.5mm Solar Neutral 70/35, Heat Strengthened Laminate, 16mm Black Warm Edge Spacer (PSI 0.036), 17.52mm, Clear HeatStrenghtened, Argon Gas Filled.

Spec B
13.5mm Solar Neutral 70/35, Heat Strengthened Laminate, 16mm Black Warm Edge Spacer (PSI 0.036), 13.52mm Clear Heat Strenghtened, Argon Gas Filled.

Spec C
13.5mm Solar Neutral 70/35, Heat Strengthened, Laminate, 24mm Black Warm Edge Spacer (PSI 0.036), 10mm Clear Float Toughened, HST, Argon Gas Filled, Ceramic (st colour).

Details

The new enlarged Gardens International site may be considered as having 3 distinct elements: the red brick structures of historic interest placed as freestanding objects along the street, the 5 storey frame structure in the space (previously occupied by the GPO courtyard, and before that, the Hanging Gardens) and the corner block to Henry Street. The first design exercise was to look at these 3 elements and how they interact to form a cohesive whole, particularly at the level of the street, and secondly to examine how each the design of each discrete element may be developed in a clear, rigorous and authentic idiom that fulfils the functional, economic and sustainable goals of the project while respecting the legacy of the site and remaining historic structures.