7-UP

Europan Competition, Housing/Gallery, Dublin, 2008
In collaboration with Troy Schaum

7-UP is a 70-unit housing development that memorializes the seven lost towers of Ballymun, on the grounds of a former coal-fired power plant. A facade wrapper has punched openings to the North and South while keeping east and west facades fully glazed for the lowest angle (and therefore deepest) light in the interior. In addition, one tower is dedicated solely to the collection of solar energy. The chimney is retained as the seventh tower and it marks the entry to the gallery.

Two courtyards provide a smooth transition between the gallery and the public. The diagonal cross-stitch unites the housing strips with one large highly visible and flexible gallery space that can be used as one large space or subdivided into four smaller galleries.