Projects Archive - Altu Architects Brochure

As part of our long-time and ongoing association with Dundrum Town Centre, ALTU were engaged to undertake a full rejuvenation of 1-5 Ashgrove Terrace within the estate, which included an existing open area and events space to the rear and a partially excavated basement.

Prior to works commencing, the Ashgrove Terrace properties were vacant, challenged by dated building fabric and compromised floor plates. The events space was utilised, albeit semi-successfully as a public realm and events area for the Centre, but was challenged by the lack of active frontage, poor landscaping and lighting conditions.

The principle objective in the scheme developed by ALTU was to enhance the overall Pembroke Square District and surrounding public realm by establishing a permanent events space, activated by quality food and beverage offerings – through a blend of retaining the existing structures, sensitively married with a new extension.

The new build extension element mimics the Terrace’s pitched roof form and orientation in its modern idiom, knitting itself into the urban grain of the wider Dundrum area. Large glass openings allow the existing structures to be perceived from the Square. The existing random rubble rear wall of Ashgrove has been retained insofar as practicable and runs from outside to in, becoming a feature interior wall. The single storey extension fills what would be a vacant and unused part of the site. Crucially this provides a boundary, a defined edge to the square as well as acting as active frontage, injecting life into the surrounding area.

The additional uses provided through Pembroke Square will tie in with and complement the wider existing uses of retail, leisure and food and beverage within Dundrum Town Centre.

Blanchardstown Centre is one of Ireland’s largest and long standing Shopping Centres, originally constructed in 1996. Twenty five years later, the mall needed a refresh to create a modern experience and inject a new lease of life to the Centre.

ALTU were engaged to carry out the rejuvenation of the Centre consisting of an extensive upgrade of the internal malls and the overall masterplanning of the centre involving the introduction of a number of extensions, internal reconfigurations, facade upgrades and the creation of a number of new entrances.

The project is highly complex with 10,000 sq. m. of live mall, multiple active tenancies across the 120,000 sq. m. Centre with at least 4 contractors on site at any given time.

The brief for the development was to create a contemporary, high quality Strategic Housing Development (SHD) suitable for a prime residential site (0.8525 ha) located at Roselawn and Aberdour on the Stillorgan Road.

The proposed development comprises a single phase, two block site arrangement of seven-storey apartment buildings. 142 No. apartments are provided within the scheme, made up of the following:-

73 No. One Bed Apartments;
68 No. Two Bed Apartments;
1 No. Three Bed Apartment.

As part of the developed design response, the project maintains a focus on an active community environment with nearly 4,000sqft of amenity spaces included within the scheme.

These amenity facilities include a social integration zone within a garden pavilion at podium level, a gymnasium, multi-functional space and work lounge. 91 No. car parking spaces are provided across basement and surface levels within the scheme.

The brief for Zurich House was to remodel an early 1980’s office building to create a modern efficient office floor plates generating a contemporary corporate headquarters facility. Following a detailed options analysis undertaken by ALTU, the most economically advantageous solution was deemed to consist of the demolition of the existing sub-optimal office space replacing it with a new larger structure which meets the brief requirements of the client and the needs of its Grade A tenants.

The vision for the design, was to provide a high quality architecturally designed office building, that meets modern workplace expectations, while being responsive to its location on Frascati Road. The building has two distinct forms to address the meeting point of two different distinct conditions, which is also echoed in the building’s material selection.

ALTU were engaged to carry out a complex structure and fire remediation works of the existing fabric over live retail which included a full building refurbishment of 205 student beds and associated amenity space to bring to a fully compliant state.

ALTU were engaged to administer the strategic relocation of RSA from three floors to two floors of the RSA headquarters as well as the consolidation and reorganisation of the workplace, facilitating and encouraging a more collaborative and open way of working.

In order to inform the design, ALTU carried out a workplace strategy analysis through a series of interviews with representatives from all departments as well as an anonymous on-line survey which instructed the design approach based around the current and desired ways of working.

The design of the project was well advanced when the pandemic began and the project was paused for a redesign to accommodate an increased requirement for hybrid working. This resulted in a reduction in the number of workstations and a greater focus on a variety of collaboration and social spaces. On site there was a requirement to maintain operations of the 123.ie team and this involved phasing the construction and the relocation of this team during the fit-out works.

The interiors were designed to reflect the brand colours of RSA and 123.ie and these were carried through the interiors finishes palette. Collaborative furniture, meeting booths and phone pods were installed providing space for private meetings, phone calls and quiet working spaces.

As part of the strategic re-generation of the offices the ground floor reception areas, lift lobbies and toilets were also refurbished as part of the works.

ALTU Studios is our home right in the thick of things on Dublin’s bustling Camden Street. In the new world of hybrid-working we’ve taken a close look at out present and future needs to inform a space with flexibility that fosters community, culture and collaboration. As working patterns change, our space can adapt with it.

The design allows for fluctuations in staff and visitor numbers providing desk spaces, touch down spaces, informal and formal meeting spaces and multi-functional spaces, making use of every square inch available. Movable furniture was utilised to accommodate future changes as they arise. The interiors take on our branding concept of calm, muted tones with accents of more vibrant colours and materials.

We look forward to seeing you at ALTU Studios!

This city centre redevelopment of a tired existing 1970s Office building included the retention and temporary support of a large extent of the existing concrete structure.

The redeveloped building has been designed by ALTU to recognise the responsibility between its immediate context and fulfilling its role to adhere to the principles of rhythm, tone, materials, plot width and height predominant on the Quays. A careful balanced approach to transparency and solid-to-void ratio has informed the design development to respect the principles above while optimising daylight and the incredible views available.

The facade has been designed to respect its prominent location and provide a considered well-mannered composition, sympathetic to the existing architectural diversity of the Liffey quays, while clearly a building of its time. The new composition is an elegant contemporary stone framed building with floor to ceiling glazing to the office floors. The stone articulates plot widths and provides strength to the parapet line and legibility to the ground level. Deep reveals to the stone frame provide solidity and integration to the façade.

The stone frame terminates at the fourth-floor parapet level allowing the two-tiered penthouse to be distinct as a lighter, more transparent element.

The Client aspiration for Belvoir was for a high quality, distinctively designed scheme of 55 no. generously sized, new build apartments. An additional 5 no. units were accommodated within the refurbishment of Kilmacud House.

A key feature of the brief was to sensitively address and incorporate Kilmacud House and its curtilage – an existing listed courtyard building and structure which represents a unique feature of this prominent site.

The design response for the proposed development consists of a site arrangement organized in two blocks, ranging in height from three to five storeys.

Together with the sensitive refurbishment and conversion of Kilmacud House, the overall scheme successfully provides the required accommodation of 55 no. BTR Apartments comprising 11 no. one bed, 34 no. two bed and 10 no. three bed units.

The development also includes provision of 82 no. car parking spaces across both basement and surface levels on the site.