Balcurris Housing, Ballymun - 3D Model

Balcurris 4 Housing, Ballymun

2000 - 2006 / Project Cost €33m / Ballymun Regeneration Ltd.

Balcurris Four represents the second scheme produced by the office for Ballymun Regeneration Ltd. It is to date one of the largest schemes being developed in Ballymun, representing 163 new residential units of the Phase two development. As with the first scheme completed by the office at Santry Avenue, the design development of Balcurris Four was a result of intense client and resident consultation The office worked closely with community groups, and elected residential committees. As well as providing the residential units, the brief also called for two community hostels to be incorporated and integrated into the scheme.

The nature of the proposal warranted a complex mix of residential units, which had to respond to several urban conditions, set out in the master plan document produced in 1997. The site lies on the northern edge of Balbutcher Lane and the new Balcurris Park. The park is contained by four storey apartment blocks, which sweep around the northern park edge forming a new crescent. The crescent is punctuated by several 'special' key buildings, which help to terminate and turn the blocks at appropriate junctures. The apartments incorporate two and three bed units of which all the units at ground floor level have been designed to comply with disabled visitability standards.

Behind the crescent in the hinterlands of the scheme lies the two, three and four bed terraced housing. The terraces have been designed to produce streets with strong rhythms, which subtly vary from street to street, the intention of which is to establish a sense of identity and place.