Niamh McInerney - Architecture Graduate Portfolio 2023

NIAMH McINERNEY

2017 - 2023

Completed a Bachelor of Architecture at The Technological University of Dublin (TU Dublin).

Final year thesis project was entitled ‘The Densification of Tolka Valley: An Architectural Response.’ This thesis explored densification and the resulting needs of a community. It stemmed from research into an analysis of current and projected demographics and housing needs. Having concluded that there is potential for a population increase within Tolka Valley, it is important that the needs of this new population are met with sufficient services to create a diversified and vibrant community.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Architectural Assistant

Darmody Architecture

91 Townsend St, Dublin Docklands, Dublin 2, D02 XD92

14/06/2021 - 22/09/2022

Duties included:

Produced high quality planning, legal and tender drawings ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulatory standards

Conducted comprehensive feasibility studies, gathering crucial data for informed design decisions

Researched and compiled information for design statement documents

Demonstrated proficiency in schematic design, translating conceptual ideas into visual representations

Utilized SketchUp to aid the design development process

I am passionate about Architecture and professional in my approach to work. I have an interest in designing spaces which best fit our lifestyle. I am a motivated and highly organised individual who is able to work in a busy environment and produce a high standard of work to required deadlines. I possess excellent teamwork and communication skills and have an ability to build up good working relationships with colleagues. I consider myself creative, outgoing and responsible in my approach to work. I am a practical individual who likes problem solving in order to find the optimum design solutions.

CONTACT

Mount

nmcinerney890@gmail.com

Modules include:

Architectural Design Studio 1 - 10

Environmental, Services & Materials 1 - 5

History, Theory and Criticism 1 - 7

Visual Communications 1 - 4

Building Technology Structures 1 - 6

Revit

Thesis Development

2011 - 2017

St. Clares Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim, Ireland.

SKILLS PROFILE

AutoCAD

Photoshop

InDesign

SketchUp

Twinmotion

Rhino 3D

Enscape

Revit

Actively participated in site meetings

Co-ordination and collaboration with clients and members of the design team

Mentoring Transition Year students

Architectural Intern

Rhatigan Architects

City Gate, Unit 0, Block A, Connolly St, Abbeyquarter South, Sligo

25/06/2019 - 06/09/2019 & 08/06/2020 - 04/09/2020

Duties included:

Created model presentations to effectively communicate design concepts to clients

• Assisted in conducting site inspections

• Modelling with Sketch Up

• Recording photographic & site records

• Demonstrated design exploration and problem-solving through hand-sketches

• Conducted feasibility studies, assessing project viability

• Preparation of AutoCAD drawings for client presentations

• Assisting site surveys & level taking

• Attendance at client meetings & design team meetings

CABRA COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRE

Final year thesis project Scale: 3,000m²

Cabra, Co. Dublin

This thesis aims to explore densification and the resulting needs of a community. This stemmed from research in semester one, where an analysis of current and projected demographics and housing needs were carried out. Having concluded that there is potential for a population increase within Tolka Valley, it is important that the needs of this new population are met with sufficient services to create a diversified and vibrant community. This population increase will create a variety of issues and put enormous pressure on current community facilities. The needs of this projected population must be anticipated and it is important that early infrastructure planning must be carried out before such population and density increases occur. To test this thesis a multi- use community education centre was chosen to supply the needs of all the community.

Please scan here for video walk-through of the project in its urban setting

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xFjzqLtJROU&t=2s

Right: Proposed view looking towards buildingSketchup, Twinmotion& Photoshop

I chose a derelict site in North Cabra to test the thesis. This site was chosen at it would have originally been the heart of Cabra. The area is predominantly residential and has capacity to supply 68 mews houses, as outlined in semester one proposals, to the rear of existing houses. There are also two large residential planning proposals to the North at Broombridge which would cater to 944 new residents and to the South, Hamilton Gardens which is almost complete and will cater for 945 new residents. The current population within this 15 minute city radius is 8,700 and with these proposed developments there is a potential for a 25% population increase to 10,900. The area currently has a variety of services, but it has very few recreational services for residents in the area. As part of my research, I interviewed members of the community. They highlighted current problems in the area such as anti-social behaviour and the lack of a community-based facility where people could gather and meet socially.

+944 People

+268 People

25% POPULATION INCREASE

+945 People

1. Broombridge Train/ Luas Stop

2. Broombridge Educate Tog ether School

3. Cabra Credit Union

4. St. Finbarr’s Boys National School

5. Cabra Community College

6. Sancta Maria Day Care Centre

7. Church of the Most Precious Blood

8. Retail units

Left: Existing site location

Right: Proposed site location

The site currently feels very closed off at times with many areas gated off, even though some of Cabra’s most prominent buildings are located here such as The Church of The Most Precious Blood, St. Finbarr’s Boys National School, Cabra Community College, and the Sancta Maria Day Care Centre. The church area is currently pedestrianised, but often times, it is closed off and not accessible to the community.

It is important to consolidate the existing town fabric and to re-establish the heart of Cabra by creating a focal point linking each of the existing buildings and further afield to the Broombridge Station. The proposal is to pedestrianise these streets to prioritise the pedestrian and to help draw people to the area. This proposed building and its environs should establish a strong urban presence in the community.

Left: Proposed site axonometric - Sketchup & AutoCAD

Right: Proposed site plan - AutoCAD & Photoshop

Below: Proposed site section - AutoCAD

To allow the building to be used by all members of the community, density of use was a key aspect of the design to be explored through diagrams, sketching and model making. To ensure the building functions efficiently, I examined the overlapping of functions and how they occur throughout the day. This allowed for density of use over a 24-hour period and demonstrates that various activities can happen in one space at different times throughout the day.

8am – Breakfast club

10am – Parent and toddler meeting group

3pm – Afterschool

7pm – Youth club and scouts club

Middle:

Right (Top):

Right (Middle):

Right

Afterschool space example:

Left: Proposed ground floor plan - AutoCAD

Concept diagram: - InDesign

Morning - Event and library space

Aftenoon - Event and library space

(Bottom): Evening - Event and library space - Sketchup, Twinmotion & Photoshop

With density being a core theme in the project, density and openness of light became a key element in the design exploration process. This was largely achieved through the creation of physical models of the various spaces. In certain areas of the building, it was important to have filtered light which would transcend the space and create beautiful moments within the scheme. This light filtration was used extensively in the library, with areas such as study nooks and the children’s library being emphasised to create spaces with a warm comfortable ambience for the individual user.

Left (Top): Proposed second floor - study nooks

Left (Bottom): Proposed childrens library

Right: Proposed panelled courtyard -Sketchup, Twinmotion & Photoshop

The buildings material choice was important when trying to create a focal point in Cabra. The building needed to stand out and have its own presence in the community without being too dominating. Timber cladding was chosen as the material of choice for the external façade. Many of the surrounding houses have traditional plaster and brick finishes and the timber cladding naturally compliments these. The cladding is detailed with horizontal joints, some of which align with the structural zones. The zinc roof provides a contrasting finish to the timber.

Above: View towards building from pedestrianised streetSketchup, Twinmotion & Photoshop

Right: Elevation - Sketchup, Twinmotion, Photoshop

Right: Detail section - AutoCAD

HOWTH CASTLE REDEVELOPMENT

Year out project - Darmody Architecture Scale: 6.89Ha

Howth, Co. Dublin

Howth Castle is located within a large landscaped demesne, situated on the western side of the Howth peninsula. The castle demesne is located within an Architectural Conservation Area and had to be treated sensitively. The various wings of the castle were constructed between the 15th and 20th Century. This project required a design team of Architects, Conservation Architects, Landscape Architects, Structural, Civil and Mechanical Engineers who collaborated to create this design proposal.

The proposal is to re-vitalise Howth Castle with the main castle wing serving as an afternoon tea area for small functions and weddings and a proposed marquee to the rear of the castle gardens to accommodate larger wedding receptions. The stable wing is to be transformed into a retail centre, largely contained within the walls of the existing. A significant part of the proposal is for a new cafe pavilion to be located within this stable courtyard. This project has been granted Planning Permission.

Right: Proposed view looking at cafe pavillionSketchup, Twinmotion& Photoshop

As the site is located in an Architectural Conservation Area, the views of the Castle and gardens were prioritised to remain unobstructed and to be celebrated. The proposed marquee can be viewed from the front elevation but is largely hidden by trees and landscaping. The proposed cafe pavilion in the stable courtyard is low lying to keep the existing elevations of the castle uninterrupted.

I had a considerable input into the detailing of the café pavilion creating various models to analyse how the proposal would affect the views in the stable courtyard. The proposed solution is an undulating roof form with glass surrounds. The roofs form references the various pitches and gabled roof forms of the surrounding Stable Yard buildings. The varied pitch and scale provide visual interest and an improved spatial quality to the interior of the restaurant seating area. The overall height of the building has been kept relatively low to allow the surrounding roofs, towers and turrets of the castle to be appreciated. A datum level was created for the underside of the roof to allow for transparency and views through the glass structure. Glass screens and doors can be opened out in good weather to further create a visual and physical permeability through the pavilion.

TheNorth/East corner of the pavilion has been splayed to allow a visual connection to be maintained between the two main arched entrances into the Stable Yard. This created an exaggerated projection of the roof canopy which provides shelter to external seating. This splayed geometry is then extended to form a wraparound entrance canopy which highlights the entrance into the pavilion.

Left: Ground floor plan of pavilion - AutoCAD Right (Top): View through archway - SketchUp Right (Bottom): Roof plan of pavilion - AutoCAD

HACKETSTOWN HOUSING

Fourth year, 2nd semester project Scale: 7,730m²

Hacketstown, Co. Carlow

The site is located in the back lands of Hacketstown on a largely overgrown, derelict site. The aim of this project is to bring vibrant life back to Hacketstown and to consolidate the existing town fabric. Timber modular construction apartments and houses were designed around central courtyards which allowed an abundance of light to enter each individual unit, while creating a communal open space. The modular system chosen allows for user adaptability and a flexible scheme to be created with users changing needs at the core of the project.

Right: Proposed view of courtyards - Rhino 3D/ Skethcup, Twinmotion & Photoshop

MoffetsLane

Penney Hill

The backlands site is quite steep sloping down from Moffets Lane to Penney Hill at the rear of the site. To allow access to all users two levels were created. The apartments are accessed from Penney Hill while the housing units are accessed from Moffets Lane. As this is a backlands site the back gardens of the existing houses were reduced to accommodate the proposed development. Existing houses were given a 5m garden space to allow adequate sunlight and privacy to these gardens also.

This scheme uses ‘369 Pattern Building’ modular construction to allow units to be flexible to residents needs and for ease of construction. The modules used are 3m x 6m and 3m x 9m. The module is composed of four corner columns, a ceiling element and a floor element made of LVL and structural steel corner fittings that provide structural stability.

Planters and seating were used within the open coutyards to to create a buffer zone outside each unit while individual units received a small pergola-style porch to act as a buffer zone to the public domain and allows users to create their own individual expression

Left: Proposed private courtyardRhino 3D & Photoshop

MODEL MAKING

Various

Over my course of studies, I have found model making a very useful tool in the design process. Making iterations of sketch models has been very helfpul in the conception and realisation of projects,

Second Year - 2nd

Third Year - 2nd Semster Farm project - Barnhouse

Semster Bathhouse