The creation of a rejuvenated ‘public realm’ in the ‘outer’ city centre, encompassing the Apple Market at one end and O’Connell Street is seen as a natural extension of the works initialised in the Viking Triangle. The aspiration is to create an open and sustainable public realm using high-quality materials in a simple and straightforward way.
The covering will consist of a reflective canopy ceiling over the central triangular area with higher glazed coverings to the edges and over John Street to provide sheltered seating areas on the three sides of this triangular ‘square’. Also repaving and resurfacing of the street surfaces as well as the provision of new street lighting, street furniture and in some cases, public art pieces.
The intention of this space is to remove obstacles to free movement of people and reinstate a level ground plane following the natural fall of the land. This surface will be finished with reflective, robust materials and there will be permanent, built-in seating along the setting-out lines. When considering the requirements for covering the Apple Market area the primary design concerns were; ensuring protection from the elements while maintaining adequate levels of natural light and ventilation; respecting the scale of the space, particularly the façade height lines; having an open, uncluttered market area with as little structure as possible meeting the ground plane; allowing sufficient distance between the canopy and the surrounding structures to allow for their maintenance, and providing an exciting and dynamic space for the public and for visitors while redefining the identity of the space.
The Waterford Realm is a currently ongoing project that we are excited and proud to be working on because of course, we are a Waterford company. This is a fantastic development for the City of Waterford and revival of Ireland’s oldest city.
First fix is almost complete with phase two starting in the coming weeks, lighting on the roof of new apple market development is starting to take shape. The mockup is in place on light outputs (see below).
View our project gallery for the Apple Market & Urban Renewal Areas.
