University of Limerick Grafton Architects

摘要

Limerick is one of the most disadvantaged cities in Ireland and largely missed out on the Celtic Tiger boom. It has also suffered in the subsequent bust with the loss of major employer Dell to Poland. The University of Limerick (UL) has been a beacon for the city by developing progressive education and strong international links. Its campus is outside of the city, along the south bank of the river Shannon and there is a new section being developed on the north bank in the adjacent County Clare. This newer section was masterplanned a decade ago by BDP which proposed a loose collection of buildings in a soft landscape with a suburban character. Into this soft centre, Grafton Architects has added the Medical School and associated student housing, as well as a canopy forming a bus and bicycle shelter, and has skilfully introduced a more urban character to the campus. The new suite of buildings combines with three existing neighbouring institutions, the Sports Pavilion, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, and the Health Sciences Building, in order to make a new public space.