DUBLIN - DUBLIN CASTLE

Castle located off Dame Street was founded in 12-th century by a

Cambro-Norman nobleman Meiler Fitzherny who was illegitimate son of King Henry I by Nest- daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, the last king of Deheubarth( South Wales).

In 1204 some time after Norman invasion of Ireland, Meiler Fitzeherny was instructed by King John of England to erect the castle of typical Norman courtyard design ( Romanesque style developed by Normans) The building was raised for administration and defensive purposes and formed a corner part of defensive city walls surrounded with moat artificially floaded with River Poddle.

Since XII -th century Dublin Castle has been a constantly developing architectural entity up to the present day.

In 1224 the castle was credited a chapel and next major redesign was made in baroque style by Surveyor General Sir William Robinson in 1688 - when he proposed

ground floor arcades and the steep dormered roofline.( simillar to his Royal Hospital Kilmainham)

Later some further additions were designed to create a lower yard for administration and in eightinth century as Georgian streetscape of Dublin was being developed, the upper yard of castle was also developed by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce using the basic design inherited from Sit William Robinson, then the erection of State Apartments followed - which can be seen from the rear side, painted in bright colours, reminding the lego blocks.

Another extensions that followed those developments were designed by Francis Johnston the main vehicular entrance called Ship street entrance,the Chapel Royal -also called Church of the Most Holly Trinity, built in XIX-th century in neo- gothic style( building adjoining the powder tower with the crenelation) , and Chester Beatty Library, and later designed by Jacob Owen carriage block in neo gothic style and neo classical carriage office.

The last extention of this incredibly complex but unite hybrid is conference centre built in 20-th century and also the modernisation of the library.

 

 

 

 

 

LONDON - ALBION RIVERSIDE - DEVELOPMENT OF ALBION WARF

Three buildings linked together by the public squares, designed by famous architectural office - Foster and Partners, located on the south bank of the Thames in close proximity to Battersea Park.




The most characteristic of them is eleven storey, mixed use development
which since its completion in 2003 has become another beautiful landmark of London.




It is very asymmetrical in a shape of a huge pretzel( at least from a distance) and with its wings opened to the river creating the open public space.



The architectural elements that were created of curved lines were a light motive in this unusual design.



Typical floor layout contains twenty eight apartaments arranged around four common areas - staircases.There are 183 apartments proposed in total in range of two to four bedroom flats.



Horizontal curves of the elevation, fully glazed balconies, use of glass, aluminium and concrete also design of the landscape architecture ( bu Speirs & Major ) make the edifice complete and as contemporary as it gets.


If you like to see more buildings on Foster & Partners on this blog please see also:
http://architectureofeurope.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/london-canary-wharf-underground-station.html

LONDON - CAMDEN TOWN AREA

Camden town area is a district located to the North of London and is recently one of the favourite places for artists and many youth subcultures.





The most characteristic lanmarks of the town are two lovely main streets, Camden High Street and Kentish Town Rd that run through the town and are surrouded by most vibrant, and hideous commercial buildings I have ever seen, a water chanel with lots of little bridges , pedestrian passages, and many open air market places, and art galleries.



The architecture of the town draws everyones attention with its odd shapes, flashy colors of the facades, vibrant signages to shops, appealing look of the bars, restaurants and pubs.



To me, the most interesting of the market places were Camden Lock created within the courtyard of the adapted existing building and Stables Market - located in the former horse hospital place. Stables Market was refurbished and provided with contemoporary features like canopies to newly created restaurants(made of steel and fabric), market stalls, interesting landscape architecture like seats, sculptures, accesible steps etc.



Amy Winehouse lived there and the world's famous graffiti artist Banksy did few of his masterpieces in the area.



The banks of the water channel are the perfect place to have a rest after rummaging through exciting stalls with fake jewellery, souvenirs and panky rebel or vintage clothes and second hand shops.