The Architecture of Change

"Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together. There it begins."
(Mies van der Rohe, New York Herald Tribune, 1959)

The ‘Architecture of Change’ is both the story and the protagonist in this year’s Open House Dublin. First and foremost, the programme is inspired by the work of Irish architects. Created during times of great political, economic and cultural change in Ireland, many of the new buildings in our programme demonstrate the importance of ongoing commitment to quality in design – from the intimate scale of the domestic extension to the larger public housing project. These new buildings – alongside their historic counterparts – tell a story of survival. Through their endurance and emphasis on quality, they are making a lasting contribution to society.

Secondly, the curatorial choices this year reflect on how architecture can itself be the catalyst for positive change. It is uncanny how in these shifting and uncertain times, the term ‘architecture’ is used by politicians and economists, sociologists and cultural commentators when referring metaphorically to the need for establishing a new structure and value system. Design thinking – the process through which architecture is being created – can indeed make a profound contribution to society and to problem solving – at all scales and all disciplines. Architecture is by its nature collaborative and focused on finding new solutions for each new design ‘problem’. Architecture also champions the design process as much as the outcome, and from this very process – which is both collaborative and creative – we can take inspiration for the challenges ahead.

The 20th anniversary of the 1991 Framework Plan for Temple Bar has been a source of inspiration for this year’s Open House Dublin. Famously destined as a central bus station, Temple Bar is today – despite all criticism – an internationally recognised model in urban regeneration. The architects of Group 91 must be credited for preserving the patina of Temple Bar by sensitively stitching contemporary architecture into the historic urban fabric. The young band of architects who won the competition for the Framework Plan in 1991, had hailed from the design studios of UCD and collaborated on the ‘Making a Modern Street’ proposal, conceived for Dublin’s year as European Capital of Culture in 1991. Considered the ‘wildcard’ of the Framework Plan competition, Group 91 Architects’ winning proposal was based on change and renewal; retaining the character of the area while greatly extending its network of streets, squares and laneways. “There is no one single solution; rather a flexible series of integrated responses (…) to release the dynamic potential of Temple Bar”, explained Group 91 in their winning entry. Open House Dublin explores these individual responses through urban walks with Group 91 architects as well with former Managing Director of Temple Bar Properties, Laura Magahy, while new developments, such as the Umbrella’ project for Meeting House Square, are discussed by Temple Bar Cultural Trust’s Dara Connolly.

Our critical and engaging Open Space programme of walks, cycles and boat tours focuses this year extensively on change at the urban scale. We sail the coast of Dun Laoghaire, Dalkey and Killiney and the Docklands, spotting architecture from the boat, cycle new routes along the Grand Canal and alight Luas on a new tour of the North Docklands. Our walks will discuss the ‘Destruction of Dublin’, conduct an ‘Urban Check-Up’ of inner city areas, and explore the immense potential for positive change for NAMA-bound lands and buildings. Topical issues in our Open Minds programme include the Craft Council’s ‘Year of Craft’ and Dublin prestigious short-listing for the World Design Capital designation in 2014 – a pioneer initiative led by City Architect, Ali Grehan. Dublin’s designation as UNESCO World Heritage City of Literature is marked by hair-raising stories told in the stylish 1940s interior of the Waldorf barbershop and visits to Flann O’Brien’s former home in Blackrock. We collaborate with the city’s large international art event – Dublin Contemporary 2011 – and discuss how subtle change can have a big impact, as we visit the former teaching spaces at Earlsfort Terrace, which have been ‘lightly’ touched to provide stimulating spaces for art.

The transformative power of design is revealed also through our architectural spotlight this year – Dublin’s most prolific housing architect, Herbert Simms (1898-1948) who realised 17,000 homes for Dublin’s poor during his 16 years in office. Despite the urgency of the housing crisis, Simms did not compromise on quality, taking inspiration from pioneer international housing designs such as apartment blocks by de Klerk in Amsterdam and J.P. Oud in Rotterdam. The legacy of the enigmatic architect, who died tragically and prematurely, will be explored in tours led by Simms expert Eddie Conroy and in a SIMMSposium on Friday 7 October in the Wood Quay Venue.

From the large urban scale, we follow the pattern of change through the work of some of Ireland’s most exiting new architectural practices including Architecture Republic, Carson and Crushell, CAST architecture, Donaghy and Dimond, GKMP Architects, PAC Studio, Solearth and many more. Although the work of these emerging practices is often at the small residential scale, it can have a transformative effect on people’s everyday lives. We are thrilled to feature new architectural works including the stylish interior of the Gibson Hotel, Trinity College’s Lir Academy and the impressive Glasnevin Museum. A particular highlight is the bespoke Cruth Curach pavilion, a creative collaboration between Bucholz McEvoy Architects and boat-builder Jim Horgan. The pavilion is the outcome of an open design competition, held by the Irish Architecture Foundation and the Crafts Council of Ireland for a temporary performance space at Electric Picnic. Some of our most iconic buildings return this year by popular demand, including the Department of Finance, Liberty Hall and Nellie Molloy’s flat in the Iveagh Trust to name but a few. And for all budding architects and urban designers, the IAF’s Education Curator Rachel McAree has produced a wonderfully engaging Open House Junior programme of workshops and walks.

The positive effects of the architecture of change are particularly evident in both the continuous use and creative reuse of our existing buildings. Among our historic highlights this year is the magnificent Résidence de France, which has been the home to the French Ambassador since 1931. Continuous use is also celebrated on Dublin’s North Great George’s Street, where visits will reveal how the owners meticulously care for these fine Georgian homes. We are delighted to feature, for the first time, the creatively restored Outhouse on Capel Street; the new home of the Irish Georgian Society in the former City Assembly House; two Distilleries which have been converted into design studios; and four Martello Towers, restored and adapted to new use.

The ongoing support of Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council and the Office of Public Works is essential for providing access to so many key public buildings in our programme – from Government offices to award-winning housing schemes. A big ‘thank you’ also to the many private building owners who so generously welcome the public to allow them to share the experience of architecture and space – which is the essence of the Open House concept. And last but not least, to the participating architects who communicate the compelling stories of change – from the creative re-use of existing buildings to how new architecture has been made.

The famous Modernist architect Mies van der Rohe once said: “Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together.” We believe that architecture begins with change. Change in our personal attitude towards our city and our buildings and change at the wider political scale. This possibility of change is revealed in ‘The Dead City’, an evocative event devised by Paul Kearns and Motti Ruimy. Change here becomes possible with a flick of a switch: At exactly 8pm on Saturday 8 October, the properties facing onto Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square – once home to many residents and today largely in office use – will turn on their lights for exactly one hour. This is both a celebration of our Georgian heritage and a meditation on the potential of urban change.

Join us for architecture this October and become inspired by its power for positive change.