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A Canalside Revival

12th Lock Masterplan

Client

South Dublin County Council

Location

Lucan, Co. Dublin

Date

February 2023

Status

Complete

Context

The 12th lock masterplan takes in a section of the grand canal between the new residential areas of Clonburris and Adamstown and the Grange Castle Business Park. The area contains over a dozen derelict buildings of different scales and character in varied states of disrepair. The challenge of the brief was to identify proposed land uses to bring these structures back to life, populating the 12th lock area with active uses and provide safe and joyful public spaces harnessing the area’s natural beauty.

On the north bank west of the lock are stone and concrete Flour mill buildings from the 19th and early 20th century respectively. Beneath the buildings is the mill run which historically would have powered the mills in what was once known as the breadbasket of Dublin. A few metres west of the mills is the lock keeper’s cottage from the same era. Since then, several insensitive developments were built, a domestic 2 storey house built onto the side of the stone mill, a protected structure, and a series of industrial buildings with asbestos sheeting at the rear of the stone mill. More recently larger green sheds with insulated corrugated metal cladding were added to the north of the site separating the Lucan Sarsfields GAA club from the R120. To the south east of the site there is an abandoned farmyard which was acquired by SDCC squeezed between the booming Grange Castle Business Park and the canal. There are a total of 14 structures within the masterplan area, none of which are in use.

Masterplan objectives around the 12th Lock on Grand Canal

Location

Through intense stakeholder engagement between the three main landowners, South Dublin County Council, Waterways Ireland and Lucan Sarsfields GAA we were able to define the global and local objectives for the masterplan. Site Surveys gave us information about the condition of the existing derelict structures and make decisions about how much could be retained.

The project prioritizes the adaptive reuse of existing derelict structures rather than demolition and construction of new buildings. This reduces waste and embedded carbon, conserves resources, preserves cultural heritage and reduces urban sprawl with associated environmental and social impacts. Only two of the buildings are proposed to be removed due to Health and Safety concerns; one dangerous structure containing hazardous materials (B1) and the other which is blocking an existing right of way and built on top of service ducting (B2).  

Before and After image of Concrete Mill

Adaptive Reuse

This principle of adaptive reuse is carried through to the landscape strategy where the existing concrete hardstand is proposed to be opened up, rather than removed and levels maintained instead of cutting and filling. Sustainable Urban drainage, the retention of existing trees and creation of ecological corridors are all incorporated into the landscape design of Site D.  

The masterplan also gives the opportunity to incorporate accessible and inclusive spaces by adapting existing buildings and applying current design standards. Landscaped areas were thought about from an access point of view, combining stepped and ramped access routes, incorporating lifts where possible in the feasibility studies of the various buildings and considering proximity of disabled parking spaces.

Urban Principles

The preparation of the Masterplan seeks to identify the proposed land-uses, building form and spatial layout, as well as the repurpose existing derelict buildings to create an integrated urban structure and public amenity that responds to the study area’s canal- side location and direct adjacency to Grange Castle Business Park and Clonburris SDZ.

Permeability: Existing Security Fences around the site to removed and level changes resolved by soft landscaping.

Connectivity: The masterplan creates a permeable edge to Lucan Sarsfields GAA linking it to the canal and the main bus routes for pedestrian access as well as connecting the business park to the canal via Beatty’s Cottage.

Local Ecology: Bio retention Swale connects to the Griffeen River creating wildlife corridor for badgers and other animals to bypass the mill run.

Green/Blue Infrastructure and SUDS: The Existing Hardstand area is opened in strategic places to provide sustainable drainage and planting while maintaining concrete in other areas of the new public space. Bio retention Swale connects to Griffeen Rivers creating wildlife corridor.

Feasibility and Implementation: Feasibility Studies on each structure were carried out as part of the stakeholder engagement process to test out case studies and demonstrate the possibilities of the derelict buildings to their landowners and advance the implementation of the masterplan.

Full Masterplan Area showing adaptive reuse and new buildings

Security: Activate the canal bank and provide passive surveillance by repurposing waterside derelict buildings.

Symbiotic Relationships: Car park becomes revenue stream for local GAA club and serves Canalside amenities. Farmyard provides facilities for Business Park users and takes advantage of adjacent carparking and bus stop within Grange Castle Business Park

Active Travel: Support facilities for active travel and leisure are located within the masterplan such as a clubhouse for kayaking and a new jetty to bypass the lock, shower facilities and bicycle repair, sports rental as well as refreshment amenities.

Local Enterprise: Small Business hubs are proposed within the masterplan to bridge the gap between the large-scale units and the residential areas of the Clonburris SDZ.

Mixed Re-Use: The programmes for the derelict farmyard have been chosen to activate the public spaces and canal at different times of the day/week and are based on local needs.

Phasing and Lifecycles

Industrial Buildings repurposed with light renovation, harmful and dangerous structures and materials to be removed. Masterplan also envisages a scenario where lightweight industrial buildings are not appropriate once the Clonburris SDZ is fully built out. Stone and Concrete buildings mostly to be retained and repurposed with active uses.

Data & Credits

Project Start
October 2022

Completion
May 2023

Gross Floor Area
10,500m2

Client Lead
Laura Leonard, Senior Executive Officer, South Dublin County Council

Architect
Stephen Foley Architects Ltd & CAMPUS t/a SFA42

Employer's Representative
Stephen Foley

Project Team
Johan Berglund, Sara Acebes, Marta Lopez Garcia, Jordi Acacio

Conservation Architect
Mesh Architects

Structural Engineer
CORA Consulting Engineers

Landscape Architect
AECOM

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