Tallaght’s iconic Chamber Square to be transformed

CHAMBER Square in Tallaght is set to be enhanced as part of a community-led architecture and design programme.

‘Reimagine’ was launched by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) last week to bring together local communities, architects, designers and planners to develop projects which will enhance the local built environment of six towns around the country. 

 The Tallaght project, ‘Melt the Walls’, will focus on enhancing Chamber Square for the local resi-dents with a temporary installation, connecting it with the surrounding cultural buildings.

The project is being rolled out by the IAF in partnership with South Dublin County Arts Office, Tallaght Community Arts, Rua Red, Tallaght Library, and the Civic Theatre and is being funded by the Crea-tive Ireland South Dublin programme.

Chamber House is a landmark, stand alone, five-storey building situated at the eastern side of the new Tallaght Square in west Dublin and directly adjacent to the County Civic Offices.

The County Library and reading rooms are located on the ground floor with extensive book storage in the basement.

The upper levels of Chamber House serve as a Health Care Hub, providing the focal point for integrated health and local services for the Tallaght area with a Primary Care and Network Centre incorporating GP, Therapy Care, Dental Services, Social Work Teams, Child Protection & Mental Health Services.

Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF, said: “A key part of the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Strategy is to enable citizens to contribute to and improve their built environment, and this lies at the very heart of Reimagine.

“No one knows more about Tallaght than the people who live there, and the overall aim of Reimagine is to enable local residents to bring about positive change to Tallaght through collaborative engagement with professionals in architecture, planning, and design.

 “After months of community consultation culminating in an Open Call for a team to create an architectural installation in Chamber Square, we are delighted to announce OBFA Architects have one the competition.

“The winning installation will be in place in Chamber Square from September 16 with a programme of events for two weeks including a launch on September 18.

“Information on these events will be available on the IAF’s website in coming weeks.”

 Also speaking at the launch of Reimagine was Orla Scannell, Arts Office South Dublin County Council, who said: “We’re delighted that Tallaght has been chosen to participate in Reimagine. The project is unique in that it allows Tallaght locals, architects, and designers to work together to bring about positive changes to our civic spaces.

“Chamber Square is an important part of Tallaght, and we look forward to developing a greater connection with Tallaght locals, the Square, and the business-es and the organisations surrounding it.”  Established in 2005, the IAF is an independent organisation dedicated to the promotion of archi-tecture as culture.

The IAF seeks to champion the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work and play.