Custom House Proposal

Proposal for a New National Museum

A World Class Tourism Proposition

Maximising the Potential of Dublin’s most Prominent Building

A Meeting Place for Future Generations

Imagining a new purpose for the Custom House. An Adaptive Reuse Proposal from 2018 influenced by visits to the British Museum and Singapore National Art Gallery. Suggestion that the Collection of the National Museum of Ireland (Archaeology etc) be relocated to a building of International Standing situated in a more prominent Public Setting.

The Proposition is for a major Architectural Intervention involving substantial re-imagining of the Custom House courtyard spaces & their enclosure by a bespoke glazed roof structure. A new Riverfront Plaza , Classical Gardens and a Feature Walkway are also proposed.

Proposal

2018

Levels

4-5

Sq. M

TBC

Courtyards : Diagrammatic Section

Roof Structure is Indicative

Should the Internal Courtyards be completely reimagined ?

When considering the Architecture of the Custom House, it is the South Facade, Dome and Peripheral Wings that come to mind. The present day Courtyards however would benefit from significant enhancements to internal facades comprising Classical Fenestration ie. Arches, Pediments etc.

Going even further – should there be a radical re-imagining of the Courtyard configuration ?. An entirely new Central Feature, would for example be possible, enveloped by a curved Classical Colonnade and a Rooftop Gallery space with expansive views of the Custom House Dome.

Site Plan with Courtyard reconfiguration, Circular Walkway & Classical Garden .

Internal Courtyard entirely re-imagined with alterations to Central Wings.

New Classical Colonnade with Gallery + Rooftop Dining space over.

Enhanced Classical Fenestration to entire Internal Courtyard surrounds.

Expansive Ground Floor Public Space with full views of Roof Structure.

Without Bridge Link

Single Bridge Link

Dual Bridge Link

Sketch looking West.

New Plaza, Classical Gardens , Circular Walkway, New Bridge. Liberty Hall Indicative

Gallery

Indicative Circulation Plan

Visitor management in a Major Museum scenario

Existing South / North Entrances not suitable for guiding large groups
East or West Entrances inappropriate given prominence of South Facade
Entry from South under Building would detract from South Entrance
Above ground Glazed Entrance would obstruct North Facade
Optimum approach therefore is from North – under & up into Building ala Louvre

Descent into Contemporary Entrance Hall deals with Visitor traffic
Entrance Hall includes Cloakrooms / Security checks / Tickets / Wc.s
Direct Visitors from Hall into ‘Great Court’ Space by going under North Facade
Main Entrances retained for Special Events with limited numbers
Circulation from Central Space into Wings ( may require new Opes )

Exits via East and West onto Walkway- Infill Glazing to Existing Opes in Facades
Circulation around Building via Riverfront Plaza + ‘Torc’ shaped Walkway

Proposal Backround

Adaptive Reuse Proposal for The Custom House, Dublin from 2018

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Speculative Design Proposals / Creative Intellectual Property