A Sense of Place

This project addresses the decline of the historical Fruit & Flower Market Area of Dublin city with the implementation of a public radio station and communal culture space that reconnects local residents to the area once again. This project references the former social and historical narrative of the markets to generate further discussion surrounding the current cultural spatial loss of the city.

During urban development, cities can lose their essence as gentrification and rapid construction prioritize financial gains over cultural preservation. Dublin City serves as an example of this urban identity loss as it is attracting major tech companies due to tax benefits while experiencing skyrocketing rental prices and living expenses. As described in the Irish Times “the very integrity of Dublin’s identity is now at risk”. The expansion of the hotel industry at the cost of cultural spaces while catering to growing tourism, exacerbates the displacement of local residents. 

Over the past decade Ireland has seen a dramatic decline in non-commercial cultural venues and a rise in commercial constructions, particularly hotels. Liquor licenses and spatial use permits for cultural institutions are being revoked. Rising rents, government pressure, and fast-tracked permissions for hotels have led to closures and their demolition, neglecting local areas, local residents, and local heritage ultimately stifling any cultural development. 

This project analyzes the interaction between the users and proprietors within the Market Area and the way in which the space is presently and was historically used in order to generate communal engagement through an intervention.

Exterior Imagery

Interior Imagery

Plan drawings

Elevation drawings

Alternating interior layout

Physical modelling

Site Axos