Redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire Baths

A 400m stretch of coastline with a 9m drop from road to sea level is reimagined as part of this complex public infrastructure project on Dún Laoghaire’s seafront that took 14 years from inception to completion. The refurbished pavilion houses a café, toilet facilities, lift and artist studios. An intermediate walkway offers various levels, viewing points and grassed areas. Accessible ramps, seating and terraced gardens connect all levels of the site. A bronze sculpture of Roger Casement on a new jetty negotiates the horizon on a tapered pedestal, complimenting the minimalist material palette.

The project is a core step in the incremental implementation of dlr’s overall vision for connecting town and sea. The Edwardian Baths, after years of lying derelict, finally closed in 1997 and following a succession of failed proposals and public protests, a cross-party group of elected Councillors set down a framework for the continuing public use of the area by: • Securing the Baths Pavilion for public use • Removing the dilapidated structures to permit the creation of new seafront promenades • Creating enhanced facilities for swimming and access to the water’s edge. Taking on board the brief provided and working with the complexities of the 9m dramatic change in level across the site, fragile structures and terrain, tidal conditions and adjacent live roadways, dlr Architects designed and brought the current project to planning between 2010 and 2015. Supported by A2 Architects, work commenced on site in April 2018 to provide extensive accessible outdoor spaces and indoor amenities.

The architecture and outdoor spaces are powerfully designed to respect and resist an unrelenting force of nature: the sea. Nevertheless, the materials surf-cast from gravel, water and cement convey an inviting atmosphere. Paved granite ‘matts’ incorporated into concrete paved areas mark areas of particular focus along traversing pedestrian movement. Polished cast concrete benches taking advantage of the sun’s orientation are generously laid out for the enjoyment of all. A concrete mix of 60% ground-granulated blast slag (GGBS) with an aggregate mix of local Dalkey granite and oyster shell, was designed to allow for vertical walls to have a washed, soft finish. The tops of all seawalls are polished to expose the aggregate and to allow for a smooth surface for the touch of hands and arms. Finished ground finishes are then polished to an acceptable slip resistance. The external material palette is limited to concrete, granite and steel to ensure minimal maintenance requirements and cost.