Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
The redevelopment of the Harbour Master Building at Dunmore East, Co. Waterford replaced the rudimentary harbour staff and public toilet accommodation that existed on the same site. These were deemed to be seriously constrained in respect of the accommodation and facilities available to the Department’s Staff, the General Public and the Harbour Users.
The Departmental brief for the scheme required the retention of the original structural concrete frame only, as part of a new remodelled plan of the existing building and extended floorplate with the existing and new extension elements required to seamlessly integrate visually as a complete new building.
Early sketch proposals sought to increase the height of the building by an additional storey to allow the upper floor accommodation uninterrupted views of the estuary over the harbour wall. The two storey floor plate was also significantly extended to provide a prominent entrance foyer and accessible lift and stair access to all levels of the integrated building to meet Disability Access Certification requirements.
The new integrated building provides circa. 350 sq.m of accommodation including improved public toilets, staff showers and toilet accommodation, a staff canteen and equipment charging and drying room facilities at Level G. The new section provides an accessible entrance foyer at Level G with a new Incident Room, Meeting Room and re-planned office accommodation for Harbour Staff at Level 1.
The prominent roof level accommodation at Level 2 provides for a new Harbour Master’s Office with panoramic views across the Harbour and landing pier etc. There are significant roof terrace areas at Level 2 for increased viewing and social / function uses.
The scheme was developed in two separate phases, completed over a three year period. The original 2 storey block was clad in a blue brick, with the new extension block finished in a contrasting white brick. The connecting foyer / stairwell link is predominately glazed, to maximise transparency between the brick clad blocks.
The roof level viewing pavilion element, which is overlooked from the approach roads from the Village, is clad in zinc and curtain walling glazing to provide a lightweight beacon feature to the building.
