New Development by Keith Williams Architects in Ireland
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Architecture News
29 May 2009
Keith Williams' Athlone Art Gallery Gains Consent
Keith Williams Architects have obtained Planning Consent (Part 8) for a new Art Gallery situated on the banks of the River Shannon in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.
The project is situated on a spectacular site on the banks of the River Shannon, adjacent Athlone Bridge, and the neo-Baroque Church of St Peter and St Paul (1932-39). Williams' designs involve the remodelling of an existing onetime temperance movement building, the Father Matthew Hall (1897) as a new artspace with the addition of a new "white box" Gallery wing and glazed river gallery.
The 600sqm project will provide:
· 115m2 gallery within the former Father Matthew Hall open to the roof structure
· 145m2 "white box" Gallery space within the new wing
· Informal meeting areas for the public and staff use
· Administration offices for the Art Gallery management and staff
The palette of materials for the new gallery wing is limited to rough cut horizontal strips of limestone of varying widths asserting the mass of the new wing. Zinc clad roof lanterns will be set back from the parapet wall to allow the limestone to have prominence in the facade, whilst centralising the light penetrating into the gallery. The Father Matthew Hall will be re-rendered and re-roofed in slate, retaining externally the essence of its historical character, whilst internally it will be stripped back to its bare walls and roof structure.
This is Williams' second commission in Athlone, the first being the multi award-winning Athlone Civic Centre and Library completed in 2004.
The scheme received Planning Consent (Part 8) on the 5th May 2009 and building is expected to start construction in early 2010
Client : Athlone Town Council
Also by Keith Williams Architects in Ireland:
Athlone Civic Centre + Square
photo : Keith Williams Architects
Background to Keith Williams Architects
Keith Williams is design director of Keith Williams Architects (KWA), a firm with a stream of accolades supporting its fast growing international reputation for the creation of dramatic, innovative architecture. The London based firm was winner of the prestigious BD Public Building Architect of the Year Award in 2006 & 2008, and has won more than 20 major design and construction awards for its built projects.
The firm's major projects include the multi-award winning Athlone Civic Centre, Co. Westmeath 2001-2004, the newly completed Wexford Opera House 2005 - 2008, and Clones Library & County HQ, Co. Monaghan 2004-2008 all in Ireland. Elsewhere, inert alia, the firm's award winning Unicorn Theatre, London was completed 2005, The Long House, London in 2007, whilst at design stage the firm is working on the new Marlowe Theatre complex in Canterbury, in addition to the new district Museum in Chichester.
Keith Williams is a specialist designer of cultural buildings including theatres, opera houses, museums and galleries, libraries, civic centres, and frequently faces the challenge of building in a tight urban or historic context. He is a member of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and has recently been appointed to the National Design Review Panel of CABE.
The firm has won numerous competitions and its work, which has been published worldwide.
Background to the Athlone Art Gallery
Originally built as a Temperance Hall in 1897 at the behest of Mr William Smith the Managing Director of the Athlone Woollen Mills, it was hoped it would entice his workers away from the public houses and into a life of sobriety! Later the hall became a venue for concerts and theatrical performances, and later still a cinema.
In 1947 the building housed the Town Hall and County Library up until 1980 when extensive renovation works were carried out to convert the building to house the extended library. (The Town Hall re-located to new premises).
In 2004 the library re-located to the new Civic Centre (also designed by Keith Williams) and the building has remained vacant since.
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Comments / photos for the Athlone Art Gallery Irish Architecture page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk
Athlone Art Gallery Building : page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Buildings by this architect:
Wexford Festival Opera
Marlowe Theatre
Molde Jazzhouse
Unicorn Theatre
Chichester District Museum
The Long House
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