C.J. Falconer & Associates Architects

Design Ideas Competition for the RIAI, and Department of Education & Skills, Republic of Ireland: Designing Primary Schools for 21st Century Learners  Concept – just as the Dandelion grows, flowers and matures, the seeds- the children, leave to new beginnings. ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity underthe heavens’ - Ecclesiastes 3 New International Version (NIV) Architecture: C. J. Falconer & Associate's design for a Primary School for 21st Century Learners, is derived from many layers. The initial planning of the design focused on accessing all areas of accommodation directly off the General Purpose Area- the initial layer, and there by forming a common meeting point and main thoroughfare of the school. The surrounding related concentric rings cater for inter related spaces and zoning. The nature of the design caters for a single storey plan – which lends itself to the accessibility of children and aids supervision. It was important that t...

Design Study- Fenor Bog Visitor Centre, Fenor, Co. Waterford. Site Location, Description and Analysis  Fenor (Fennor or Fionnúir) Bog is located in Fenor Village Co. Waterford, 5km West of Tramore and 16km South-Southwest of Waterford City which is in the South East of Ireland. Fenor Village lies within the Copper Coast Region, on the Dungarvan/ Coast Road. The village itself is quiet and of a small size- consisting of a Church which is a protected structure, a National School, Pub/ Restaurant, Playground and G.A.A. club. Notwithstanding this, its location on the R975 coast drive from Waterford to Dungarvan, close proximity to Kifarrasy Beach and Ballyscanlon Woods/ Lake making it a popular destination for visitors and tourists nationally and internationally. The bog was formerly raised and turf was cut away by hand until the 1920's, after which it was left undisturbed. It is likely that most of the acid peat was removed to reveal alkaline peat, upon w...

Design Study- Viking Interpretation Centre, on the Site of a 9th Century Viking Settlement at Woodstown, Co. Waterford. Design Statement The Viking Interpretation Centre, on the Site of a 9th Century Viking Settlement at Woodstown, Co. Waterford, Ireland has been designed along an Axis running west to east to Views over the partially completed excavations present on the Site, the River Suir and the surrounding Countryside. The Centre is located on the gradual slope to the East of the Site, a sufficient distance from the extent of the past settlement. The Main Circulation route is aligned along this axis allowing visitors to connect to the significance of the site throughout their journey down through the building and into the past. This main circulation route is in the form of a gently falling ramp which closely integrates with the existing contours of the site. The uninterrupted nature of this central ramp provides universal access, can accommodate large groups of...