Convent Garden,
Kinsale, Co. Cork
Convent Conversion
The existing complex outside of the chapel proper has been subdivided into residential units while retaining and respecting the internal geography which will succeed in giving the former institutionalised building a sustainable life. Advantage is taken of the virtual double height spaces to create mezzanines forming duplex units which allows for retention of existing windows. All circulation to the convent’s apartments is accessed from the rear, allowing the public façade to remain unaltered.
The new contemporary apartment building to the rear of the convent building has been designed to take advantage of views, light and landscape but is screened from view by the more dominant existing convent. It creates a new internal courtyard which acts as a transition from old to new.
The main body of the chapel will be conserved and will be therefore remain as a record of the previous history of the Convent. The proposals for a resident’s gym envisage no interference to the fabric or structure of the Chapel. Services will be minimal as it is intended to be a facility for the residents only.
Open Space
The setting of the convent is retained by reinstating the garden over the new car park to the rear as open space. It is overlooked by the converted convent apartments and the new apartments.
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The orchard is maintained as open space and overlooked by the new apartments new housing terraces and the lower section of detached housing on Winters Hill.
Housing
The longitudinal form of the housing reflects the linearity of the streets below as arranged across the rising topography of Kinsale. The terraces are broken by a pedestrian link which reflects the generic disposition of lanes through the town.
The crèche is a compact two storey building with the play spaces arranged between a garden and a first floor roof terrace. The crèche is a local facility intended to provide for the childcare needs of the development.
Client: Cumnor
Timescale: Currently Under Construction |
