«Den Talamh» EcoLab

Historically the site was the former municipal landfill for Cork city before being converted into Tramore Valley Park (2011-2019). ‘den talamh’ sits to the east of a manmade mound from the former landfill and to the west of Carroll’s Bog in the park. The building’s programme creates a shelter within the park for public events hosted by the building’s steering group, KinShip. The selection of organic materials for the construction of the building addresses ideas of material provenance, whilst also allowing the building to merge into the park context.

The challenge was to design and construct a shelter that addressed the client’s brief in creating a place for thoughts to be discussed in the park while also creating something that connects with such a sensitive marsh landscape. Thus, in order to address this: conceptually, the building seeks to frame a view to Carroll’s Bog and draw the park visitor closer to observe and contemplate the beauty of this unique landscape within Cork city. Framing this view enabled us to anchor the building to a specific location on the site. The language of the building is historically familiar, in that it has the scale and form of a vernacular Irish cottage, while, the plan of the building references the architecture of miniature temple. Thus, creating an agora for thoughts to be discussed and debated within the park landscape. The large overhangs of the thatch roof create further shelter for people congregating on wet days, of which there are many in the south of Ireland.

Materials have been selected for their provenance, local availability and capacity to be received back into the ground at the end of their lifespan. Hoggin (earth and sand mix) was used for the floor. Walls and columns were constructed in rammed earth while the box beam and roof structure is built in timber and weather protected with natural reed. Reinforced concrete was only employed below Damp Proof Course (DPC) level to make the footings and foundations. The concrete employed 50% recycled slag based GGBS cement. It would have been preferred to utilise stone in-lieu of concrete for these elements. However, this was simply not achievable within a €28.5K + VAT project budget. Maintenance required for the rammed earth walls is minimal, as their 500mm depth allows for calculated erosion. The thatch roof is to be fire-proofed every five years and re-thatched every thirty. Finally, the hoggin floor is to be cleared of any seedlings in the spring and summer months