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What is College Green Plaza and Why It Matters
The development of the College Green Plaza is a debate that has been going on for quite a few years. The proposal was officially announced by the Dublin City Council in 2013 and it aims to pedestrianise the College Green area which lies between Trinity College Dublin and Church Lane. This idea is not a new one, but the design solutions required to solve certain complex issues require new innovation and relationships.
Why come up with the plaza at all?
With so many places in the city to choose from, one can’t help but wonder why College Green was picked as the spot for building a plaza.
One of the most important reasons is the historical significance of College Green. It was famous for being the ceremonial heart of the city, with a number of gatherings, protests and processions taking place there. Even today, the St Patrick’s Day Parade goes through that area. In 2011, the then-President of the United States, Barack Obama, addressed the crowd at College Green.
College Green was formerly called ‘Hoggen Green’ and the area was all grass. Today, however, the area is full of traffic; be it cars, buses, taxis, cyclists, or even pedestrians. This congested space right in the city centre has been degrading in air quality, one that does not meet the EU standards. Simply put, it can kill. The space is dangerous for pedestrians as there is not enough footpath space.
In the council's Public Realm Strategy 2012, called ‘Your City, Your Space’, College Green was identified as "potentially the most important civic space" in Dublin.
So, what options do we have for the College Green Plaza?
Right now, there are two design leaders: Dublin City Council’s refused design application, and the Celtcia group of flexible design options.
The Dublin City Council’s design is a plan to pedestrianise a smaller part of College Green with a 1700m2 primary plaza solution. Celtcia, on the other hand, offers 2350m2+ of flexible space while allowing cars and public transport in a variety of options, and faster pedestrian crossings.
Why do we need options? What does Celtcia offer that the Dublin City Council’s design does not?
If Dublin had a metro system, the solution would have been more simple. The design for Celtcia has been under works for more than 12 years; starting in 20086, this thoughtful masterpiece is based on a real love story. It is no doubt that in 112 years, this design has been able to consider, analyse, research, rework and incorporate features critical for the future of the College Green Plaza. Not only does Celtcia provide significant flexible design options, but it is also considerate of sustainable and essential features of the plaza. In 2012 it was submitted by the Green party to Dublin City Council as part of the Strategic Public Realm Strategy. This was also voted on by Dublin City Council in 2013 under motion 1261.
Celtcia is also focused on multiple aspects of life and appeals to people of all ages.
Transport
Being in the heart of the city, College Green demands convenient access to transportation. Be it for students studying in nearby universities (Trinity and the Dublin Business School), children playing in the new green patches of the plaza and playgrounds, party-goers looking to return home after a night out looking for a taxi, or the elderly enjoying a calm evening walk with disabled kerbs for the visually impaired. Transport is a matter of not only travel but also safety.
For cyclists, Celtcia would contain high quality, protected cycling lanes with up to 190 bicycle spaces (compared to the City Council’s design of 32 bicycle spaces)
There will be a Taxi rank in College Green, with a West-East Taxi access option
There will be a West-East bus access option
The design will be efficiently integrated with the Luas crossing.
Recreation:
Again, the city-centre is undoubtedly very, very happening. Celtcia offers a usable area of 2165m2+, with 185m2 being spaced out for fountains… that’s at least 758m2 more usable area than what the Dublin City Council’s design has to offer. Imagine this with a grass area of 200m2, a playground for children and chess boards; it is the perfect space for recreation for people of all ages.
Along with this, the presence of many sculptures and public art in the plaza and statues in the windows of the Bank of Ireland building will only beautify the place more. The statue of Thomas Davis would also remain in the primary area. Celtcia would successfully maintain the cultural identity while having the scope to become a unique tourist attraction. The option of Celtic tourism only makes this design more appealing.
Poetry and Public Speaking:
The freedom lookout is a carved public speaking platform where there could be spoken word competitions, bands and a photogenic vista lookout to climb. Stephen James Smith may even have a poem or two and bands and buskers could even perform on top of it on Sundays.
Celtcia’s Motivations?
Celtcia is based on a collective need rather than the individual need or limited architectural style or era. It started from a love story in Dublin Gardens in Dublin Castle. It has evolved into a desire for a more peaceful and quieter sanctuary. It imagined playgrounds instead of open air car parks while maintaining public transport options. Softer grass to balance hard surfaces. Celtcia wanted a world class place that locals and tourists alike would be attracted to. We wanted new experiences, moments and activities that are inclusive to different groups of people. We believed it was possible to maintain a deep respect for historical Dublin while introducing a new subtle future with more ambition which gives young people hope of a better future.
Compare the designs here: https://www.celtcia.com/numbers
An updated comparison of DCC designs with ours click to zoom...
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/10/17/unfinished-business-7
An Overseas Membership MIID Application was made on the 31/10/2016 for a team member! Looking for foward to the future!!!
Benefits of IDI membership include:
Exclusive right to the title 'Member of the Institute of Designers in Ireland' (MIDI / FIDI / GIDI / UIDI)
The right to display and present a certificate of IDI Membership
Listing in the online IDI Directory
The right of use of the IDI Member logo
The opportunity to apply to the Register of Professional Designers in Ireland
Future progression to Chartered Designer
Access to senior designers and practice leaders within the IDI Membership
Access to IDI run mentoring and professional development opportunities
Opportunity to enter the annual IDI Design or Graduate Design Awards
Invitations to attend IDI seminars, exhibitions, lectures and discussions
Skillsnet member discounts on all courses now available to IDI Members
Access to IDI resources, training materials and guidance
Access to IDI recommended professional services
Access to job listings and internship opportunities
The IDI Code of Professional Conduct
Access to Research publications
Here is a list of few core things the IDI does:
Represent the design community at a government level
Lobby for legislative action supporting job creation, training and education for design
Promote excellence in design through the Irish Design and Graduate Design Awards.
Manage the Registered Designer in Ireland process and lobby for Chartered designer
Support Continued professional development through training
Provide access to key design research publications in collaboration with the UK Design Council
Support the publication of Iterations, Ireland’s only Design Research Journal and Practice review.
Collaborate with other stakeholders to run National events like Irish Design 2015.
Link industry to education, graduates and future research.
Collaborate with members on EU research in the Design sphere.
Post jobs in Design
Help, promote and run design talks and conferences.
Represent you, as a designer, protecting your career and your future income.
http://www.idi-design.ie/join/apply/
We have released another image based on our work from 2006! enjoy.
Look here for the discussion live.
http://www.dublincity.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/103835