Cork

The former Irish Distillers Limited (IDL) site on the North Mall, Cork is jointly owned by University College Cork and the Mercy University Hospital – both of whom are immediately adjacent to the site. The site therefore offers a unique opportunity for the future expansion of both education and healthcare accommodation.

The lands comprise approximately 12 acres and extend linearly along the River Lee. Access to the site is relatively poor and a function of the Masterplan was to investigate the potential for new bridge connections to facilitate access for both UCC and MUH. The site is in a very strategic location and currently provides a transition from city to countryside due to the nature of existing development on the eastern end of the site and the predominately landscaped nature of the site to the west.

The topography of the site rises steeply to the north and could support therefore some high rise development in this area.

The purpose of the Masterplan was to determine the quantum of development that could be supported – estimated at 100,000 sq.m – and also the access, circulation and car parking etc. required to support the new Education / Research / Healthcare Campus Facilities. Services to be accommodated within the brief for the project include a mix of hospital and college functions along with any facilities that might prove beneficial as co-located / shared elements.

Although predominately vacant, the site does incorporate a number of protected buildings currently in use. These have also been factored into the spatial planning and massing of the site. Mature trees to the river fronted perimeter will also be required to be retained, where possible, as these provide screening and flank a riverside walkway which passes through the site.

The completed Masterplan provided a Campus Type Proposal that offered both UCC and MUH a capacity and development assessment of the site and incorporated responses under all key design criteria such as Planning, Traffic, Archaeology, etc.

Michael Regan of EPCA was Director in Charge / Architect for this project whilst Managing Director of RORSA Architects, Cork from 2004 – 2011