The Old Waterworks, Cork City

BSLA were appointed to develop a landscape proposal for the courtyards of this educational and civic facility known as the sustainable city campus.

The landscape proposal made provision for the reinterpretation of the site for visitor access, for ease of orientation, movement through the site and for the reinforcement of the strong identity of the site. A simple palette of materials, chosen for quality and fitness for purpose, forms a distinct new layer that can be read against the valuable historic artefacts of the site.

Verticality is provided by the signature corten steel lighting elements, which also reference the industrial character of the site. The floor plane is paved in granite setts with pockets of existing setts married in with the newer materials. Lawn areas are provided, offering opportunities for impromptu picnics and summertime sunbathing.