A multi-disciplinary team led by Grafton Architects and Shaffrey Associates have been chosen for the redevelopment of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter.  The announcement was made today by Dublin City Council and the Parnell Square Foundation.  

Grafton Architects have built an impressive portfolio of award winning projects both in Ireland and internationally.  Their work in Dublin includes the Department of Finance Building in Merrion Row (2007) and the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College (1996, 2002).  Both projects received recognition in the RIAI awards.  Further afield, their work includes the Luigi Bocconi University in Milan which received the inaugural World Building of the Year Award at the 2008 World Architecture Festival.

Since their foundation in 1967, Shaffrey Associates have established a reputation for architectural, urban design and planning projects throughout Ireland and for working with existing and historic contexts.  Among their previous works are library and cultural buildings in Cavan Town and Lismore, Co Waterford.

The full team is as follows:

Welcoming the announcement, Lord Mayor Christy Burke said

 ‘this is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of Parnell Square, a cultural and historic gem right on our doorstep. This is the first and finest of our Georgian Squares and this project will invigorate the North Inner City, acting I’m sure as a catalyst to promote further economic and social regeneration in other areas of the City. It is great to see that a series of public meetings and workshops which took place over the past 12 months, involving all stakeholders from different social, economic and cultural perspectives, has informed the commissioning of the design and final design brief. I look forward to seeing the vision for the Square being captured in the design by Grafton Architects + Shaffrey Associates and I wish them every success in bringing the project to fruition’.

The centre-piece of the Parnell Square Cultural Quarter will be the development of over 11,000m2 at the former Coláiste Mhuire, anchored by a new City library which will offer a vibrant mix of cultural facilities for the city of Dublin

The full press release is available here

 photo credit: Greg Dunn, stoneybutter.com