Liberty Hall- the building, it's Context and its Ecology
Above- Location of Liberty Hall within Dublin City courtesy of Google Maps
(Above Left to Right)- Plan in Context, Image showing Liberty Hall as of 2020
Liberty Hall, located along Eden Quay in Dublin City, is a building comprised of a lower lying slab structure and a 17 storey, 60m high tower for which much of the focus on this semester lies upon. Completed in 1964, architect Desmond Rea O’Kelly designed a contemporary, narrow tower to cut through the Dublin skyline.
Upon its completion, Liberty Hall was viewed as a symbol of Ireland entering the modern era. It was one of the first purpose-built office buildings in Ireland and in the years that followed, its striking slim profile would stand in sharp contrast to lower-level office constructions that would begin to litter Dublin.
And while in its earlier years, Liberty Hall’s glazed façade allowed for the building to become a beautiful transparent beacon of light, it became progressively more apparent how Liberty Hall had difficulty succeeding as a user-friendly building.
Combined with a bombing that blew out much of the original glass (the replacement of which creating a Liberty Hall that no longer could be seen through), Liberty Hall fell into disrepair. The glass became dis-coloured and the render greyed from a lack of maintenance and care. Furthermore, its inefficient use of space within the tower, due to its sizeable service core, makes it neither desirable aesthetically or functionally as a building.
Yet, it still had this defining structure that rose up and held possibilities for the species that wouldn’t mind, or would even prefer the height and views Liberty Hall could afford. To understand who the tower would serve, the species it would serve would need to be assessed.
Upon its completion, Liberty Hall was viewed as a symbol of Ireland entering the modern era. It was one of the first purpose-built office buildings in Ireland and in the years that followed, its striking slim profile would stand in sharp contrast to lower-level office constructions that would begin to litter Dublin.
And while in its earlier years, Liberty Hall’s glazed façade allowed for the building to become a beautiful transparent beacon of light, it became progressively more apparent how Liberty Hall had difficulty succeeding as a user-friendly building.
Combined with a bombing that blew out much of the original glass (the replacement of which creating a Liberty Hall that no longer could be seen through), Liberty Hall fell into disrepair. The glass became dis-coloured and the render greyed from a lack of maintenance and care. Furthermore, its inefficient use of space within the tower, due to its sizeable service core, makes it neither desirable aesthetically or functionally as a building.
Yet, it still had this defining structure that rose up and held possibilities for the species that wouldn’t mind, or would even prefer the height and views Liberty Hall could afford. To understand who the tower would serve, the species it would serve would need to be assessed.
Dublin City Ecology
Species Identified
(Above From Left to Right)- Monarch Butterfly, Bee, Kingfisher, Little Egret, Pipistrelle Bat
Ecological Considerations
While humans had been designed for using patterns of biophilic design in the previous semester, the non-human species surrounding Liberty Hall needed to be identified to do the same for them this semester. To identify and understand the animal species in the vicinity of Liberty Hall, it was necessary to then look for resources outside of the realm of architectural theory. While providing for bees and butterflies had been decided due to their needs and their ability to pollinate Liberty Hall's flowers, the other species were identified and selected from the 'Draft Dublin City Biodiversity Action Plan 2021- 2025'. The pipistrelle bat, kingfisher and little egret were all selected as species that would benefit most, would be in the vicinity of and most likely to make use of a thread-and-frame habitat. Previously environmental studies were considered a separate scientific discipline where architects 'wouldn't have the time to do that kind of in-depth work themselves' (Lourie Harrison, 2017). But for this project to work in tandem with its context, it became apparent the ‘thread-and-frame’ panel facade could not be designed for these species without identifying them and their needs/ behaviours. By assessing the key traits, behaviours and needs of all the species (similarly done for humans also) identified, this could then inform several things; 1. What the thread-and-frame panel would need to do- would it need to insulate a space, create a dark space or a bright one, create a 3-D shape or act as a divide etc. 2. The location- on what orientation(s) should this frame be to create an adequate habitat within/ on Liberty Hall? And at what height 3.The threading pattern- would it be dense, sparse, built up in certain areas, what would it need to do for that species etc. - Harrison, A.L. (2017). "Posthuman" Architecture. Pca-stream.com. Retrieved 5 November 2021, from https://www.pca-stream.com/en/articles/ariane-lourie-harrison-posthuman-architecture-119. |
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Vegetation Choices
(Above) The floral species chosen to populate Liberty Hall
To adequately provide for all the human and non-human species of Liberty Hall, a variety of different species of flowers, herbs, fruit, vegetables, vegetation and trees were identified that would all either both provide and be provided for, solely provide or solely be provided for by other species in Liberty Hall.
To adequately provide for all the human and non-human species of Liberty Hall, a variety of different species of flowers, herbs, fruit, vegetables, vegetation and trees were identified that would all either both provide and be provided for, solely provide or solely be provided for by other species in Liberty Hall.
(Above) Vegetable and fruit choices
For the vegetable/ fruit farms, plants were chosen for varying factors including (but not limited to) its ability to grow in the Irish climate, times of years it grows, light needed, to make use of different orientations, to provide food/ garnishes etc.
For the vegetable/ fruit farms, plants were chosen for varying factors including (but not limited to) its ability to grow in the Irish climate, times of years it grows, light needed, to make use of different orientations, to provide food/ garnishes etc.
(Above) Vegetable, floral and plant wall plants chosen
The plant wall that runs vertically through each level is populated with plants that both grow well indoors and have air cleaning properties. Considering the open nature of the floors and Liberty Hall's location in the city, this was an important factor to help ensure the health and wellbeing of all residents, human, non-human and other plants.
The plant wall that runs vertically through each level is populated with plants that both grow well indoors and have air cleaning properties. Considering the open nature of the floors and Liberty Hall's location in the city, this was an important factor to help ensure the health and wellbeing of all residents, human, non-human and other plants.
(Above) The tree and floral species of the bat/ bird levels
The main tree garden is on the first floor due to the low flight path of the pipistrelle bat. They, alongside with the bird species, all enjoy foraging and therefore many leafy plants and trees are planted for them forage as well as nest and feed. Despite specific plants being planted for certain species, most levels are accessible to all species. These spaces add to the available habitats, areas to feed etc. for these species in the city. Flowering species are used to attract insects for the bats to feed on as well as for the bees and butterflies to pollinate. Also having flowering species throughout the building means that humans will always have a visual connection and awareness of the ecosystems at play around them that Liberty Hall blocked out before.
The main tree garden is on the first floor due to the low flight path of the pipistrelle bat. They, alongside with the bird species, all enjoy foraging and therefore many leafy plants and trees are planted for them forage as well as nest and feed. Despite specific plants being planted for certain species, most levels are accessible to all species. These spaces add to the available habitats, areas to feed etc. for these species in the city. Flowering species are used to attract insects for the bats to feed on as well as for the bees and butterflies to pollinate. Also having flowering species throughout the building means that humans will always have a visual connection and awareness of the ecosystems at play around them that Liberty Hall blocked out before.