medieval museum in waterford

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Medieval Museum in Waterford / Waterford CityCouncil Architects

Philip Lauterbach
http://www.archdaily.com/?attachment_id=487909


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Architects:WaterfordCity Council Architects

Location: Cathedral Square, Waterford,Ireland

Design Team: Waterford City Council ArchitectsRupert Maddock, Bartosz

Rojowski, Agnieszka Rojowska. Currently Bartosz & Agnieszka formROJO-

Studio

Area: 1500.0 sqm

Year: 2013

Photographs: Philip Lauterbach

Structural, Civil Engineer & Psdp: Frank Fox & Associates Consultant

Engineers

Project Manager: Malone ORegan Consultant Engineers

Quantity Surveyors: Nolan Construction ConsultantsFire Consultants: ARUP

Mep Engineers: WSP

Archaeology: Orla Scully and Archer Heritage

Sculptor: Stephen Burke

Main Contractor: Tom OBrien Construction Ltd

Facade Stonework Contractor: S McConnell & Sons

Graphics: Bartosz Rojowski (ROJO-Studio) & WCC

Main Contract Value Museum & Facilities Building:4.6M
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Philip Lauterbach


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From the architect.Waterford Medieval Museum is a new architectural landmark

and major visitor destination in the Southeast of Ireland. The Museum is located

in the urban quarter, the oldest part of Waterford City and at its vibrant cultural

heart, known as The Viking Triangle. It houses a magnificent collection of

artifacts and hosts numerous public events.

A diverse range of medieval, 18th, 19th and 20th century buildings constrain the

site boundaries to a U-shape with the open end facing directly onto eastern

faade of Christ Church Cathedral.

The objective was to design a building that would strengthen the characteristic of

the historic tissue while, at the same time, creating something new and

contrasting with the existing architecture.


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Philip Lauterbach


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The front faade is designed in a semi-circular, streamlined form, which is

wrapped around the back of the Neo ClassicalCathedral, creating a link

between the two beautiful squares on each side. The warm Dundry facing stone

follows from its use in the original medieval Cathedral and Choristers Hall and

provides a break from the cool crisp 18th century surrounding structures. The

curved faade is like a big jigsawno two stones are the same, each one is

unique and individual. More than a faade of a building, it is a large-scale

architectural sculpture. There is an emphasis on the two gables, both visible from

surrounding squares. A six metre high figureThe Waterford Lady sculpted on

west gable is based on a tiny 13th century belt mount found during the

archaeological excavations on site.

Philip Lauterbach

At the approach to main entrance, glass vision panels provide views to the

carefully conserved Choristers Hall below. The entire width of recessed glazing

that slides apart allows interior of the ground floor to be open onto Cathedral

Square and the border between the inside and outside disappears.


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DiagramFloor Plan 1

One of the design challenges was to incorporate the medieval structure of

Choristers Hall located below ground level into the new building. Internal layout

was strongly influenced by the shape of the site and adjoining buildings. There

are four levels to the building: two levels over ground floor consisting of exhibition

galleries and audio visual theatres, the lower ground floor level is a

multifunctional space and provides direct access to the Choristers Hall. The

ground floor incorporates the entrance lobby, museum shop and reception.


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Philip Lauterbach


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The structure is designed entirely as cast in situ concrete. Material palette was

restricted to concrete, Irish pippy oak, heather Welsh slate and the mentioned

Dundry stone for the facade.

Site Plan

Diagram

In 2014, the Museum has received LAMA Awards for the Best Public Building

and The Best Heritage Project categories as well as the International Civic Trust

2014 Award .


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Philip Lauterbach

The success of this design is due to the collaboration of people from diverse

backgrounds: architects, artists, historians, engineers and craftsmen. This


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amalgamation of different disciplines within the design team, allowed achieving

this unique result. The building was designed in house by Waterford City Council

Architects, Rupert Maddock, Bartosz Rojowski and Agnieszka Rojowska.

Agnieszka and Bartosz are now working independently as the newly formed

ROJO-Studio Architects. (www.rojo-studio.com)

* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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