Balgaddy E

Balgaddy E is a new mid-density neighbourhood of 100 dwellings and 2 shops, for South Dublin County Council in the western suburbs of the city. The site is bounded to the north by Griffeen Avenue, and the ‘Balgaddy A’ scheme, to the east and west by sites being developed for residential use and to the south by proposed park land, and the main Dublin to Galway train line.

Set along Griffeen Avenue, a 3 storey north-facing crescent reflects the crescent of the existing ‘Balgaddy A’ scheme opposite to create a distinctive place as a focus for the area. The middle of the new crescent is a gateway marking the entrances to the rest of the scheme. Here there are a series of smaller scale, quieter, tree lined ‘shared surface’ streets, designed to ensure that pedestrians have priority over cars. The dwellings range from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses, the houses each having their own front garden, own front door and private and secure garden to the rear. The architectural language of all buildings is consistent, with variation to be found in form, composition and scale.

The architectural language is complementary to the first phase of the Balgaddy scheme across the road. Plain white rendered walls are combined with coloured elements that signify threshold, eaves, ends of terraces and mark the more intense events. To the south end of the scheme the upper level apartments are clad in colourful fibre cement boards that are seen from the main commuter railway line to the south of the scheme.