The Market Place
Armagh, Northern Ireland
Glenn Howells Architects

Simple solution for complex site and context issues

© Christopher Hill

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The design for this new theater and arts center was chosen as the winner from among 90 international entries. A strategic plan was a necessary part of the design, one that would respond to contextual issues and considerable sloping of the site. A unique challenge was to link the dominant St. Patrick's twin cathedrals on a hilltop to the north, and Duff's Technical School of 1830 in Market Square to the south. The architect responded with a simple plan that made a complex problem look easy.

The arts center is located in the historic center of Armagh, one of the finest Georgian towns in Great Britain, and is constructed of custom cast stone that is compatible to the dominant limestone buildings. The program includes a 400-seat main auditorium, a 150-seat studio theater, art studios, art gallery, workshop areas, cafe-bars and restaurant.

Instead of air conditioning, the building incorporates a flow energy, passive cooling solution that utilizes the Termodeck system and high levels of insulation. This system passes air through the precast concrete hollow core slabs in the building to mediate temperature changes. Even during long performances the thermal lag of the massive structures stabilizes the temperature of the auditoria to even out the thermal highs and lows.

A double-height entrance canopy shades the grand stairway leading up to it and the front of the building is transparent with huge windows. This is set off by the windowless and simple volumes of precast cladding panels behind. Service areas are ingeniously hidden from view, enhancing the spartan, uncluttered interiors of the major spaces.

Formal name of building:
The Market Place

Location:
Armagh, Northern Ireland

Gross square footage:
43 250 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$8.8 million

Owner:
Armagh City and District Council
Council Offices
The Palace Demesne
Armagh, BT60 4EL
N Northern Ireland

Architect's firm:
Glenn Howells Architects
The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA.
Tel: 0121 753 2488 Fax: 0121 753 2401
Email: mail@glennhowells.co.uk