Trinity College’s Architecture Celebrated during Open House Dublin 2010
Posted on: 06 October 2010
A weekend of architectural celebration is in store when Trinity College opens its doors to the public for this year’s Open House Dublin festival, Ireland’s biggest celebration of architecture, which will run from October 7th – 10th next. Organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation, the initiative aims to showcase the city’s unique and historically significant buildings to the public by offering unique access to over 100 buildings across the capital and a programme of over 50 architectural walks, cycles, boat tours, exhibitions, lectures, debates and screenings all of which are free of charge and open to the public.
Throughout the course of the weekend staff and students from Trinity’s Department of History of Art and Architecture will host tours of the College’s most famous and historic buildings such as the Senior Common Room and Loos Bar, the Provost’s House Stables (TRIARC), the Ussher Library and the new Trinity Long Room Hub to name but a few. In addition, a children’s tour of the TCD campus has been arranged allowing future students a behind the scenes look at life in TCD.
Trinity College Dublin’s Front Square.
The Douglas Hyde and Trinity’s Science Gallery will also be running events in conjunction with this year’s Open House festival. All events are free of charge and only a small proportion will require pre-booking. A full programme is available online at www.architecturefoundation.ie/openhouse. Details of the Trinity College tours are as follows:
Provost’s House: Friday 8th October, 12pm.
One of the principal highlights of the Trinity festivities each year, the Provost’s House dates from 1759 and retains many of its original features. Provost Francis Andrews employed Henry Keene, who worked on the West Front, as his architect, engaging the Dublin architect John Smith to design the main façade. Boasting one of the most elaborately decorated interiors of its period the building’s exterior is based on the solid principles of Palladian design and is still home to the Provost of the College and his family. *This event is booked out.
Provost’s House Stables, TRIARC: Friday 8th October, 1pm.
The Irish Art Research Centre (TRIARC) is housed in the renovated Provost’s House Stables adjacent to the Provost’s house. The stables were designed by Frederick Darley in 1841 and converted by architects O’Donnell and Tuomey. TRIARC is an excellent example of the successful translation of an existing building to a new purpose building.
Masterpieces of Trinity College Dublin Walking Tour: Friday 8th October, 7.30pm.
An annual Open House highlight, this atmospheric walk will stroll by Trinity College’s architectural masterpieces, both historic and modern. The buildings will be brought to life by architectural commentary from a number of TCD students.
Children’s Tour of the TCD Campus: Saturday 9th October, 11am.
In a special tour, the ‘students of the future’ can explore the beautiful campus of Trinity College. Children will experience some of the key buildings of Trinity College, and see how each is used by students every day, from the Examination Hall to the libraries, lecture theatres to the Museum Building. Each participant will get their own Trinity College Open House ‘graduation certificate’. The tour is designed for children aged 5-12 years of age and lasts for an hour.
Front Square and Libraries: Saturday 9th October, 12pm.
This tour will include the historic architecture of TCD’s Front Square, including the Dining Hall, Examination Hall, Front Gate and Campanile, as well as a guided tour of Trinity’s landmark library buildings including the listed Berkeley Library, the award-winning Ussher Library and the Long Room.
Senior Common Room and Loos Bar: Saturday 9th October, 2pm.
Originally designed by Richard Castle, this fine iconic stone building was rebuilt in the 1760s. The award-winning restoration in the 1980s following extensive fire damage includes the clever replica of the famous American Bar by Adolf Loos, in Karntner Strasse, Vienna.
Trinity Long Room Hub: Sunday 10th October, 2-5pm
Trinity Long Room Hub is the new research institute for the arts and humanities at TCD. Perching beside the Arts Building, it closes Fellows’ Square and frames the view from Front Square over the roof of the 1937 Reading Room. The new building is seen as a powerhouse of ideas. The honeycomb granite surface is broken and imprecise, large roof lights form canons of light and create dramatic tall spaces for work and research. This building has been shortlisted by the 2010 World Architecture Festival.