West Wing of the National Library of Ireland, No's 7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The development will consist of the conservation, refurbishment and adaptation of the existing West Wing of the National Library of Ireland, formerly a book storage facility, reconfigured entrance ramp off Kildare street, moat area, rear courtyard, and the construction of a new six-storey circulation core extension in the rear courtyard. The National Library of Ireland as a protected structure (Reference RPS 4197). The proposal will provide a new cultural experience comprising exhibition spaces, education spaces, cafe space, retail space, public facilities and ancillary accommodation. To facilitate the works, the following demolitions are required: 35sqm temporary single storey port-a-cabin used for staff facilities in rear courtyard; 47sqm mid-20 century, single storey brick finished plant room and staff locker enclosure in rear courtyard; External steps and associated retained wall adjacent to single storey brick enclosure in rear courtyard; External ramp and steps constructed in the late 20th century, at the entrance off Kildare Street; Partial removal of existing cast iron floor structure at mezzanine levels; Removal of existing non-original lift and associated service room enclosure complete. The conservation and refurbishment work to the West Wing of the National Library of Ireland will include the following: Internal works: alterations to the mezzanine floors consisting of partial removal of the existing cast iron floor structures and re-use within the proposal encompassing structural upgrade works to support these floors; removal of the existing book storage system on all floors and partial reinstatement within the proposal; retention and enclosure of original centrally located scissor stairs in fire rated construction from ground floor to second floor; the construction of a new six-storey extension (720sqm) which will provide universal access to both the West Wing and the main National Library of Ireland building, to include an accessible stair and lift, a 'Changing Places' toilet, storage areas, plant facilities and new fire escape exit discharging into the rear courtyard connecting to Leinster Lane; works to existing concrete floor; alterations and refurbishment of existing windows and doors including forming new connections between existing West Wing and new circulation extension; new door from former Trustees lobby to ground floor of the West Wing; fire safety upgrades including extension of existing sprinkler system, new fire doors and lobby enclosures; provision of new sanitary facilities at lower ground floor, first floor and second floor; new mechanical and electrical services to meet current standards; consolidation of existing fabric including walls, floor, ceilings and internal fittings; full fit-out of all floors including adaptive re-use of existing features and including fit-out of exhibition spaces. External works: repairs to existing external envelope of the West Wing including localised repair, repointing and cleaning of facades and chimneys, localised repair of windows and doors, upgrading the existing roof covering, roof lights and adaptation of the east roof pitch to allow for a new automatic opening vent (AOV) over the existing stair; refurbishment and repositioning of existing external lighting; reconfigured pedestrian steps and ramp to Kildare Street to facilitate universal access connecting to existing main entrance; re-surfacing to the front entrance off Kildare Street and moat areas; new stepped and ramped fire escape exit from new extension to the rear discharging onto Leinster Lane; flat roof to new extension incorporating maintenance access to new plant, new plant within rear courtyard; new surface water attenuation; new foul and surface water connections; hard landscaping; and all associated ancillary works on a site area of circa 0.1083 hectares.