New school of architecture to build on colleges’ success

SOME 170 architecture students will begin classes in a new state-of-the-art city centre building this month.

The Cork Centre for Architectural Education (CCAE) is a joint venture from UCC and CIT, with undergraduate and postgraduate students set to move into a new purpose-designed school adjoining the Nano Nagle Place complex on Douglas Street.

The new CCAE mirrors the red brick facade of Nano Nagle Place and looks set to breathe even further life into the resurgent Douglas Street, welcoming 170 undergrad and postgrad students, as well as teaching and administrative staff for the coming academic year.

The postgraduate students have been in situ since early summer, with the remainder joining this month.

It is a new chapter for the CCAE, which has been in existence since 2006. It is also a unique venture in Ireland as the only joint venture between an IT and a university in terms of architecture.

Since 2007, the CCAE had operated out of a former commercial premises on Copley Street. This premises is now being converted into student accommodation.

Katherine Keane, head of the Department of Architecture at CIT, explained that the new development presents new opportunities.

“It is a more appropriate environment than the Copley Street building,” she said.

“It offers better integration between all activities in the building, ensuring that students can get an even better learning experience.”

“The building also allows a lot of light and impressive views over the city, which is very stimulating for the students,” Ms Keane added.

State-of-the-art technology, including IT, workshop space and 3D laser cutting materials, will all be available to students to give them the best experience possible, too.

The BSc (Hons) Architecture and the Master of Architecture programmes will be taught in the new surrounds.

Designed by the Sunday’s Well-based architects JCA Architects, the project team worked closely with CCAE staff throughout the development to meet the brief as well as possible.

In fact, the project team even included a number of CCAE graduates.

Gareth O’Callaghan, director of JCA Architects, explained what the team set out to achieve.

He said: “Located on the western edge of the complex, the new building is set back from the street, changing the existing landscape of the street. The main entrance is distinguished by a cut in the northwestern corner.

“Beyond the entrance foyer is a three storey atrium void topped by clerestory glazing. At this level, a canteen and two flexible lecture spaces are backed by glazing which exits to an internal shared courtyard.”

Mr O’Callaghan added: “The atrium is also located to maximise natural daylighting and encourage the use of natural ventilation strategies.”

The new CCAE building represents an even greater presence in the city centre for the city’s third level institutions. Just 12 months ago, CIT moved a number of its art and design courses into 46 Grand Parade, adding to the CIT School of Music on Union Quay and the CIT Crawford College of Arts and Design on Sharman Crawford Street.

UCC, meanwhile, has a number of buildings throughout the city centre, including the Tyndall Institute and a number of smaller properties on Dyke Parade and other city streets.

The CCAE will be open to the public for Culture Night on Friday, September 21, with student work being exhibited.