As we start the 2024, it is very exciting to see our Clare County Library in Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland finally beginning to take shape with its form now apparent from the drone shots, courtesy of main contractor Coolsivna.
The 2,300m2 project for our clients Clare County Council, abuts the town’s existing Glór Theatre (2001) and will form a new cultural hub for the town and the region, adding the new county library and a small contemporary art gallery.
When finally complete, the library, art gallery and the Glór will be interlinked through a new double height colonnaded portico and main entrance, joining up the triptych of the literary, visual and performing arts contained within.
The form of the new building is in part defined by a 10m high sinuous pre-cast masonry wall which will provide the outer skin to the library and art gallery creating a new civic frontage for this new cultural building complex. Rooflights and sidelight glazed slots bring daylight into the heart of the plan, whilst “incident windows” connect the interior with the exterior and offer views to key points within Ennis.
The administrative offices for the County Library sit above the double height main library space in a simple, rectangular form.
The exterior facades are largely formed from pale pre-cast masonry and sit upon a profiled base (ground level) storey of vertical masonry ribs to create strong rhythm on the façade. Contrasting glazed panels with metallic bronze powder coated aluminium frames give accent, contrast and highlight.
Main construction started on 28 April 2022 with project completion and opening due in June 2024.
The supporting design team includes ARUP, AECOM, Axis Consulting Engineers and OLM Consultancy with main contractor Coolsivna Construction Ltd from Co. Galway undertaking the build, Techrete providing the cast stone facades.