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Construction
Ireland
March 2004
THE EXPANDING
BOX
Box Architecture was founded in 1997
by two Dublin Institute of Technology architecture graduates,
Gary Mongey and David Dwyer. The practice has developed into
a vastly reputable practice having won eight Irish architectural
awards since its conception. Box has achieved its notoriety
mostly with residential projects; however, a shift has occurred
for the practice with the procurement of larger scale projects
including public buildings, community centres, crèches,
corner site developments, exclusive one-off houses and an
industrial unit which was selected for the 2003 RIAI Awards.
The practice also undertakes high density projects which are
supported by a sustainable philosophy. Quality rather than
rapid expansion has remained the focus of the practice in
order to retain sustainability which has now been genuinely
confirmed.
With a hands-on approach using detailed models, technical
expertise and creative execution in the presentation and design
medium, Box Architecture reflects an ethos of the highest
principle. The aim of the practice is to be creative with
simple technologies to achieve inspirational aesthetics in
the built form and this is accomplished through the experience
and knowledge of the directors/architects, David Dwyer and
Gary Mongey.
David qualified with an Honours Degree in Architecture from
the Dublin Institute of Technology in 1996, having previously
qualified as an architectural technician in 1984. In the intervening
years he worked and practised extensively in Ireland and the
UK on an assortment of developments from small to multi-million
pound developments. Some of these included scheme designs
for superstores, a multi-use town centre development, office
buildings, industrial and residential refurbishments, housing
units, townhouses and a subterranean energy efficient house.
He has previously worked for several practices including the
GMW Partnership in London. He brings a diverse background
of experience to the practice having been involved in domestic,
commercial and housing projects ranging in scale. Additionally,
David is currently doing a Masters in Urban Design (MSC) at
University College Dublin.
Gary graduated with an Honours Degree in Architecture from
Dublin Institute of Technology in 1995 after having previously
studied civil engineering from 1988-1990. Since an early age,
he has worked extensively as a carpenter under the opuses
of his father who was a cabinet maker on an array of projects
which included design and self build. This has lead to a more
practical approach to the building process. With this in-depth
understanding, he lectures in final-year of Architecture at
DIT and is a visiting external critic. Gary is also President
of the Architectural Association of Ireland where he presides
over several exhibitions, lectures, events, site visits and
fundraisers. As acting President, it is and has been his objective
to push architecture into the public realm. Partly, this was
successfully achieved by his invention of the “HOME”
Exhibition which invited the public to participate in the
discussion of domestic space which is intended to lead to
a larger discussion in architecture in general. His initiative
to communicate and involve the public in architecture has
made it more accessible to all.
State-of-the-Art, Crèche, Carpenterstown, Dublin
This is a 5,000sq ft, purpose-built crèche designed
for sixty to seventy children. The project known as ‘Magic
Years’ forms part of a development which incorporates
a residential cluster to the west of the site nestled within
a suburban housing estate.
The brief was to provide a ‘home away from home’.
The approach to the building is by way of a shared car park,
drop-off point and then through a series of external spaces
to a courtyard with an orchard within close to the heart of
the building. One passes between low and tall forms into the
central double-height hall formed by five brick elements where
pigeon holes are situated for children’s belongings.
This establishes a hierarchy of overlapping layers giving
access to the four play rooms adjacent to the exterior of
the building where the smallest of the spaces connect to the
garden. Timber screens separate the rooms from the hall, forming
spaces at the scale of a child for displaying the children’s
arts works and informal sittings. The brick elements provide
each of the children’s rooms with changing and eating
facilities. Windows are shifted within the wall thickness
to express the mass of the brick elements. Different staircases
give access to the dormitories and a balcony at first floor
which creates the perception of a maze for the child. Roof
lights are used in differing orientations throughout the building
to animate and promote awareness of moving light. The rhythm
of spaces is extended to the external by means of a low canopy
which doubles up as a play space in wet weather and continues
through the landscaping treatment which results in dense foliage
to the southern boundary.
The client commented: "Are we pleased with the result?
Perhaps the best people to answer that might be the parents
who have proffered such insightful remarks as 'fabulous' and
'wow'. Better still, maybe we should ask the children in our
care, whose happy faces and stimulated engagements tell it
all.
Industrial Unit, Kells, Co. Meath
Box Architectures project of a fit-out of an industrial unit
in Kells, Co. Meath is selected for its third Irish Architectural
RIAI Regional Award in 2003.The project involved the fitting
out for processing, of a mid-terraced standard industrial
unit belonging to Archaeological Development Services Ltd.
(ADS), a Company providing archaeological services to the
construction and development sector. The existing structure
is a portal frame, access is both from the front and rear
and a mezzanine to the front leaves a double height void at
the rear of the building. Box transformed a mundane industrial
unit into something of a surprise.
The brief required that an industrial feel be retained and
that the use of natural daylight be maximised. The design
approach was to insert a series of objects into the building
around which the plan evolved, denoting the building program.
On the ground floor the reception and administrative areas
are held to the front. A laboratory is in the centre of the
building flanked on both sides by utility elements containing
vertical circulation piercing the mezzanine slab, toilets,
dark room and air abrasive room, allowing daylight to penetrate
deep into the volume by retaining translucent roof lights.
The preliminary processing and storage area is to the rear
in the two-storey void. A shaft of light filters down the
original stairs indicates access to the mezzanine level. One
ascends to a floating plate which gathers all the formal functions.
Rooms are delineated by clear glass walls and interrupted
by timber door planes, creating a flexible open plan in the
centre of the building. The finishes are minimal with every
detail being no more than is required.
The Hideaway, Upper Grand Canal, Dublin
The objective was to create an area with a hideaway, or an
internal courtyard, which surrounding rooms flow into. The
kitchen was relocated within the existing return. The enlarged
room provides dining and living spaces and is fixed onto the
rear garden. The site is orientated in an east-west alignment
and the rooflight is positioned to reach up and grab the light
and channel it into the room.
The hideaway is enclosed by sliding screens which allows for
many access points. The upper section of the return is clad
in zinc to reflect the light into the hideaway. The dining
room projects into the rear garden space with a bookshelf
to one side and full height sliding door and window to further
emphasize and focus one on the garden.
These developments highlight the variation and capabilities
of the Practice. From small domestic projects to major commercial
ventures. Box Architecture have the foresight and innovation
to create outstanding visions. The introduction of new technologies
combined with traditional standards ensures buildings will
stand the test of time, creating a legacy of quality design
by which the practice now stands. This is only a small selection
of works completed by the practice. Their website address
is www.box.ie where a greater
selection of their works can be explored.
www.box.ie
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