project 27 team in dublin, ireland
all images courtesy LAN architecture
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi


after a short hiatus, the team behind the 27 project is back with a new segment of their
european tour. a collaboration between paris-based LAN architecture (benoit jallon,
umberto napolitano), FATCAT films, and french graphic designers undo-redo, the group
stopped by dublin to chat with ODOS architects (darrell o'donoghue, david o'shea) on
the current climate and future projections of contemporary architecture in ireland.

'27: a journey through contemporary architecture in europe' is an ambitious new project
that will attempt to provide a collective snapshot of the EU's role and ideas of
contemporary architecture, with intimate conversations from those who are shaping
the built environment of tomorrow. to find out more on the project, click here for
our previous coverage.

27 IRLAND DARREL & DAVID from FatCat Films on Vimeo.

established in 2002, ODOS architects has already established itself as a nationally and
internationally recognized practice, receiving a number of awards including the AR international
emerging architecture awards (2009), an RIAI irish architecture award (2009), and a shortlist for
the young architect of the year award (2009). the main objective of the firm seeks to challenge
our preconceived notions of architecture, creating a broad range of designs that stimulate
a response from the users. social and cultural influences remain at the center of their work
process and often explore the fundamental ways in which people operate and play within
a spatial construct. 'we aspire to honesty and transparency in the use, arrangement and
detailing of materials,' says the architects. 'we hope to instill a sense of curiosity and excitement,
stimulating a response, confronting and challenging traditional conceptions of architecture.



'timberyard social housing' by o'donnell and tuomey architects, 2009
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



exterior view
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi


marked and shaped by an economic boom in the early 2000s and a major need to accommodate
an heightened immigration towards the cities, ireland has had to readdress the role of density
and the idea of a 'house' in recent years. contemporary architecture that is specific to the country
is a relatively new notion, surfacing only 15 years ago to differentiate itself from the traditional forms
of the region. 'we try to introduce the historical context and marry it with contemporary architecture,'
says ODOS architects. 'we are driven by it; we constantly try to do it.'



'department of finance' by grafton architects, 2008
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi


at the 2006 venice biennale, the irish architects challenged the country's current
development plans by creating a comic book-style story of what ireland would be like
if there was no longer a possibility for horizontal development. traditionally, the mentality
is to live in a free-standing house with a front yard and a back yard - a movement that is
skeptical of high density. the recent high number of immigrants has induced the state to
quickly develop empty plots in dublin with limited long term visions: 'they are just reactions
to a situation and this is not only in the design but also in how they are built.'

since then, the country is now reacting to the recession with a sudden halt to development -
the supplies have surmounted the demands. contemporary architecture in ireland will have to
focus on the different issues that are arising within this context while preserving a distinct
and relevant identity of its own.
 


interior view of 'berkeley library' by ahrends burton koralek architects, 1967
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



view of atrium
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



'private residence grangegorman' by odos architects, 2008
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



interior view of kitchen and dining space
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



'samuel beckett theatre' by de blacam & meagher architects, 1993
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



approach
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



'croke park staidum' by gilroy mcmahon
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



seat view of stadium
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



behind the scene
image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi



image © LAN architecture, umberto napolitano, nicola aguzzi


remember to check out 27's website for more images and
behind-the-scenes look of their visit with ODOS architects.