Dublin City Council has appointed OBFA among a consortia of six companies to design a creative campus in the heart of the Liberties area of Dublin 8.
The campus feasibility is part of an Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) project that aims to deliver new workspace for artists within the city.
In total three initial council owned sites have been identified, at Bridgefoot Street and at 8 and 9 Merchants Quay. OBFA's Feasibility was for a new build Artists' Workspace on Bridgefoot Street, with community space opening to the street. The building would be four-storey, respecting Protected Structures behind, and hosts workspace accommodation for artists across a broad range of artforms.
OBFA’s concept designs for both sites followed the co-design process and an extensive public consultation phase with artists and the community.
Merchant’s Quay comprises quiet artists’ workspaces on the upper floors with a new 100 seat community theatre at ground floor accessed through the courtyard at the rear, replacing the much loved former Little St. Anthony’s Theatre. Green space was requested among the workshops and the courtyard has been designed for events and access to a new roof terrace at first floor level.
