Today Waterford Walls and the Department of Architecture at Waterford Institute of Technology in partnership with Waterford Cultural Quarter officially announced the overall winning design from the student architecture competition to re-imagine a Georgian Building. The winning entry by Tanner Ulrick (pictured below) shows the possibilities of what redesign and creativity could do to enhance & transform the Cultural Quarter.
Find out more about the initiative below.
WIT architecture students compete for a chance to re-imagine Georgian building in the City
Waterford Walls and the Department of Architecture at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in conjunction with Waterford Cultural Quarter Committee will officially announce the overall winning design from the student architecture competition on Thursday 19 April at 3pm. The announcement will take place in WIT’s city centre campus the Granary, on Hanover St, which is home to the Department of Architecture. This unique competition saw WIT architecture students re-imagine an interior of Waterford Walls HQ at No 5 George’s Street in Waterford.
The building, which dates from the late 17th century is a classic example of Georgian architecture and has been re-purposed as a public space for artists. Located at the gateway to the new cultural quarter on O’Connell Street, the competition was an innovative way to involve local WIT students in the redesign and development of the Cultural Quarter. Speaking about the competition Sarah Jane Hanton, Creative Spirits Ambassador of the Waterford Cultural Quarter Committee said: “our remit is to support the development of a vibrant cultural space for the people of Waterford to enjoy and engage with. A key element is delivering on what the people want. Right on our doorstep, we have a vibrant Department of Architecture with a highly-skilled faculty and student body. With an entire department devoted to studying design and architecture, we felt it would be very exciting for students to submit their own designs for consideration. We have been overwhelmed by the positive uptake and by the calibre of design. It has been so inspiring to collaborate with WIT, and we are very grateful to lecturers Garry Miley and Aleksandar Kostić for working with us on this and also to all the students who participated.
The breadth and scope of design has been fantastic, and we look forward to revealing the winner at our special ceremony and viewing.” Aleksandar Kostić, acting Head of the Department of Architecture at WIT commented: “The higher education sector faces many challenges today. One way to address some of these challenges is to realign educators and students with their community.
We are truly grateful for another opportunity this initiative has opened for our students to showcase not only their creative potential but also to take part in shaping their immediate environment actively. We are looking forward to contributing to many other future projects in the Waterford Cultural Quarter with the City council, Waterford Chamber and Waterford Walls.” Representing Waterford Walls, Edel Tobin added, “We are delighted with the ideas submitted by the WIT architectural students for the renovation of our HQ building at 5 Georges Street. This building is currently being developed as a new multidisciplinary arts space serving the community and the city and the ideas submitted are creating huge excitement and a genuine buzz around the possibilities and potential of how this building can be used. We are very grateful to WIT for their involvement – it has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with the faculty and students.”
The student designs will be displayed at the Granary at 3pm on Thursday 19 April. The overall winner of the competition will be announced and will receive a cash prize sponsored by Waterford Walls, Waterford Cultural Quarter Committee and Waterford Chamber. Following the official event at 3pm guests are invited to The Parlour Vintage Tea Rooms for a wine and canapes reception and on to Tullys Bar for refreshments and later entertainment.
All are welcome to attend.
