St. Patrick’s College, Thurles

This project included the redevelopment of the former seminary facility to use as a third level educational college (as part of Tipperary Institute). The client’s brief required the introduction of contemporary lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, and associated facilities within the existing College building. As part of the design solution, a five year master plan was drawn up, in which each part of the College building was reviewed to assess its suitability for a range of potential uses.

The first phase of the project, comprising five lecture rooms was completed on schedule in 2004. Additional accommodation was refurbished in subsequent years. A major expansion of the College library and computer room facilities, complete with a new-build staircase and lift building, was completed in September 2007 to coincide with the existing courses at the College reaching full capacity. The project is an example of the successful rejuvenation of an underused religious institutional building, involving the sensitive integration of new uses without loss of character in an important protected structure.