Planning precedent report

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: We, the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, intend to apply for permission, for works to the National Library of Ireland, Nos.7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. PROTECTED STRUCTURE – The development will consist of works to the Main Reading Room (351 sqm) East lobby (13sqm), Reprographics Room (36 sqm ) and gallery area (44sq m) to the first floor of the National Library of Ireland, Nos.7-8 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.Protected Structure (Reference RPS 4197). The proposal is to provide an enclosed glazed visitors viewing area (33 sq m) at the existing gallery in the Main Reading Room. The proposed glazed gallery is to be 1800mm wide and 2540mm internal height and set back from the existing timber balustrade. Refurbishment works to include repainting the internal walls, windows and dome area, removal of section of non-historic free standing shelving units and desks from the late 20th C. Repairs and redecoration to the 13 number late 20th C single glazed replacement timber windows to the base of the dome. Building services upgrades to include fitting controls to the non-historic column radiators located within the bookshelves, the fitting of actuators to high-level non-historic late 20th C replacement timber windows and to also include new heating, lighting and ventilation to the proposed glazed gallery. The original herring bone oak flooring is to be repaired with the mid -20th C flooring tracks removed to restore the floor to its original condition. Works to consist of lifting damaged sections of herring bone oak flooring, rerouting electrical cables below and replacing the flooring with salvaged timber from the adjacent Reprographics Room (36 m2). The floor is to be lightly sanded to remove scuff marks and finished in an appropriate conservation water-based floor Lacquer. The floor to the Reprographics Room (36 m2) is to be replaced with an oak floor of the same species, grain, size and appearance of the original.

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.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: permission for the creation of a medicine museum at basement and lower ground floor levels at 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 E434, which is a protected structure. The creation of the museum includes for: forming a new entrance by lowering an existing window ope on the front (Kildare Street) facade at basement level, renewing the existing disabled hoist from Kildare Street level down to basement level, removing the floor within the lower ground floor lecture theatre to create a double height exhibition space at basement level and forming to new opes into this new double height exhibition space, remodelling of the existing basement plant room to facilitate the installation of exhibition cases, removing the spiral stairs from the reception at ground level down to basement level, providing new toilet facilities for use by museum visitors at basement level, modifying air systems, fire detection and alarm, small power and IT infrastructure to suit the museum and installing specialist lighting, sundry associated upgrading conservation and renovation works. Other associated works that are not part of the creation of the museum: upgrading the existing passenger lift, removing the obsolete service hoist within the building and so provide increased storage space at basement level a staff changing room for the kitchen staff at lower ground floor level increased storage at upper ground floor level, creating a new furniture store at lower ground floor level, within the winter hall, converting the food servery beside Dun Library back to being librarian's office, providing a new ship's ladder access up to the existing open plant deck at roof level, sundry associated upgrading conservation and renovation works.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: Permission for development at a site at No. 45 Kildare Street, Dublin 2. No. 45 Kildare Street is identified on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) under RPS Ref. No. 4217 and currently accommodates the third level institute known as the Dublin institute of Design. No. 45 forms part of a terrace of buildings that front onto Kildare Street, a Conservation Area. The adjoining structure to the north, No. 46 Kildare Street, is also identified as a Protected Structure (RPS Ref. No. 4218). The proposed development will consist of change of use from educational to office use and repair, refurbishment, maintenance and upgrade works including to windows, brickwork, internal joinery and plasterwork. The development will also consist of demolition of the fifth storey constructed in the 1970's (mansard roof structure) and construction of new fifth storey in its place (c.142sq.m) encompassing a light well garden and two roof terraces (to the Kildare Street elevation)and demolition of non-original structures to rear and construction of new plant room, roof light to basement and outdoor sitting area. The proposed works also involve the removal of limited sections of internal fabric. The main entrance doorway to the office development will be via the existing entrance doorway off Kildare Street with secondary entrances at basement level. The proposed development also provides for the installation of a new internal lift to make the building accessible and useable to all. All proposed works have been subject to expert conservation assessment and will be carried out by expert conservation specialists. The development includes all associated site development works.

The development will consist of 1 no. non-illuminated aluminium faced sign affixed to existing stone facia above entrance, 1 no. vinyl logo applied to glazing internally at entrance and 5 no. replacement privacy vinyls with logo applied to glazing internally at ground floor level.

PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The works comprise of (a) the extension of the building by infilling an existing courtyard at ground/entrance level to create a new counter service area ancillary to the Library room and the construction of a new flat roof with roof lights, (b) the removal of a slated lean-to roof structure above basement level to be replaced with a new floor structure, (c) re-finishing of internalised wall surfaces, (d) repair of fire-damaged bay window at first-floor level, (e) removal of fire-damaged window joinery and enlargement of existing window opening between the Library and courtyard to ground/entrance level, (f) removal of the existing bar counter fittings from the Library and provision of new fitted counter units to the new service area, (g) replacement of external cladding to the 1920's lift shaft.