Beechpark Rejuvenation Centre

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Egbert Parks
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1 Beechpark Rejuvenation Centre Site Design Concept, Beechpark, Clonsilla Architects: MVK Architects, Ltd. Client: Neil McDermott Introduction It is proposed to convert Beechpark House into a rejuvenation centre, offering alternative treatments, health education and a clean lifestyle in a peaceful setting to guests from Ireland and abroad. Beechpark is an ideal setting for the centre, situated at the edge of Dublin near the Clonsilla Railway station, it has easy access from the city yet it feels like the countryside. The property, with its attendant walled garden, nearby park and playground, arboretum, and organic vegetable production, has the potential to become a destination for garden and nature lovers and day trippers as well as those who choose to stay for treatments in the house. MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 1

The philosophy behind adaptive re-use: The challenge of adapting heritage properties to the contemporary economy is described in the EU Horizon2020 Work Programme as follows: Due to economic problems

2 The philosophy behind adaptive re-use: The challenge of adapting heritage properties to the contemporary economy is described in the EU Horizon2020 Work Programme as follows: Due to economic problems and social change many historic assets have been facing functional redundancy. These assets are mostly churches no longer used for worship, industrial buildings no longer used for manufacturing, farm buildings no longer used for agriculture, cultural landscapes which are degrading, etc. In most instances, the costs for the adaptive reuse of these assets cannot be supported by the public sector or by traditional private sector models relying on return on investment. Innovative financing, business and governance models would fill up this investment gap and enable the maintenance of the historic fabric, its integration with the modern world and thus the appreciation of heritage-inherent values and qualities by contemporary societies through optimal adaptive re-use practices. 1 Image 1. Site plan showing Beechpark Recuperation Centre, walled garden and possible garden centre, arboretum, and allotment area. To the east lies the Beechpark playground. 1 From the Horizon2020 Work Programme , Cultural Heritage as a driver for sustainable growth, and Innovative financing, business and governance models for adaptive re-use of cultural heritage. (pg.68) MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 2

3 The House The main house will be converted with minimal intervention. It is proposed to undertake sensitive renovations to bring the fabric and services up to the standards required for the guests, while maintaining its character. (see image 2 and 3 below) The National Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Ireland states that the main house and any ancillary farm buildings were extensively remodelled and updated between 1810 and 1830 which tallies with building styles. Burkes Peerage (1862) shows the owner at this time to be Bartholomew Hartley and following him, his son Richard-Wilson Hartley (MRIA) ( ), and it is likely that this family were responsible for the architectural changes made in the early decades. 2 Image2. View toward the main entrance of Beechpark House 2 From the Historical Appraisal & Report - The Courtyard Beech Park Demesne, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 Prepared for: MVK Architects by: Livia Hurley DipArch BArchSc MLitt Historic Building Consultant May 2012 MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 3

4 Image 3. Proposed plans for the adaptation of the main house to the rejuvenation centre. The Ancillary Accommodation and Outbuildings It is planned that some 18 residential/ accommodation units to house visitors to the centre would be built on the site. The units shown are clustered together along a pre-existing laneway, in an arrangement reminiscent of the vernacular Irish row cottages, a typology found throughout Ireland and the British Iles. It is envisioned to erect an octagonal Yoga studio on the grounds and a covered loggia near the vegetable garden for shelter during outdoor work. The additional ancillary accommodation is sited outside the view-shed from the main house. The building of the row of cottages in a staggered terrace will provide thermal efficiency, maximum light and views. It should be compact, simple to build - due to the repetition of form, and both buildings and grounds - easy to maintain. The units are small two-bedroom units for up to four persons, with a small central lounge. The design is flexible enough to accommodate short-term stays while undergoing rejuvenation and lifestyle changes. (Image 4.) Image 4. Plan of single story ancillary accommodation conceptualized as clustered staggered row cottages along a laneway, and presenting a wall like edge to the curtilage of the main house. MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 4

The Landscape The units are arranged to the south-west of the walled garden, greenhouse and organic vegetable gardens, keeping the arrangement of buildings as compact as possible

The placement of the row of accommodation is intended to be removed from the view-shed of the main house leaving the curtilage to the front of the house undisturbed.

below) The lane way is semi-pedestrianized and landscaped, providing a sheltered outdoor space for the guests.

The grounds of the house will be used to support the well-being of the visitors and guests through walks, sport, gardening therapy, organic practices education, picnics, out-door work

5 The Landscape The units are arranged to the south-west of the walled garden, greenhouse and organic vegetable gardens, keeping the arrangement of buildings as compact as possible without crowding the existing structures. It will be a brief but pleasant walk from the cottages alongside the walled gardens toward the Rejuvenation Centre in the main house. The placement of the row of accommodation is intended to be removed from the view-shed of the main house leaving the curtilage to the front of the house undisturbed. The cluster of low cottages will give the impression of a staggered wall screened by trees. (see illustration 5. below) The lane way is semi-pedestrianized and landscaped, providing a sheltered outdoor space for the guests. The accommodation is set back from the stream and pond in the centre of the site, meaning that both the main house and new terrace will enjoy wide views to the garden and countryside. The grounds of the house will be used to support the well-being of the visitors and guests through walks, sport, gardening therapy, organic practices education, picnics, out-door work and leisure activities. (See images 6, 7,8 below) Image 5. Photomontage of proposed development. View across landscape to the ancillary accommodation reminiscent of the Irish row cottages and presenting a demesne wall like edge to the curtilage of the main house. MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 5

6 BEECHPARK REJUVENATION CENTRE April 29, 2016 Landscape continued: Image 6. Organic vegetable garden just south of the walled garden. MVK architects 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. 6

Greenhouse and Exterior of Walled Garden MVK architects

7 BEECHPARK REJUVENATION CENTRE April 29, 2016 Image 7. Arboretum Landscape continued: Image 8. Greenhouse and Exterior of Walled Garden MVK architects 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. 7

Sandpit Cottages, Luttrellstown Road, Castleknock,,Fingal, Dublin 15.

8 Image 9. View from south door of walled garden toward pond and pasture. Historical Precedents - for the concept of the traditional cluster of accommodation in a rural setting: Image 10. Sandpit Cottages, Luttrellstown Road, Castleknock,,Fingal, Dublin 15. The cottages were built at the end of the 19th century by the famous Guinness Brewery for the employees of their Farmleigh estate. The buildings are typical of the type of country cottages common to Irish villages. (from Heritage Guide) Image cottages, Caledon, Co. Tyrone MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 8

Patel Taylor, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham 13.

9 Contemporary Precedents - for the concept of a cluster of accommodation in a rural setting: Image 12. Patel Taylor, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham 13. (above) London Borough of Barking and Dagenham MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 9

30 terraced houses grouped around a square in staggered blocks of three. Image 15.

10 Contemporary Precedents continued: Image 14. Jorn Utzen, Fredensborghusene housing, Fredensborg, Denmark, There were 47 courtyard houses and 30 terraced houses grouped around a square in staggered blocks of three. Image 15. Jorn Utzen, Fredensborghusene housing, Fredensborg, Denmark MVK a r c h i t e c t s 19 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2. T E. mailbox@mvkarchitects.com 10

Site Evolution and Comparison 5.2 Precedent Images of Tree Formations in 18th Century Parks

site COMPARISON Site Evolution and Comparison 5.05.1 5.2 Precedent Images of Tree Formations in 18th Century Parks 46 5.1 Site Evolution & Comparison Marlay Park, Dublin scale 1: 10 000 scale 1: 10 000