Liberty House Masterplan

Following a 2003 invited competition, PKA were appointed as Dublin City Council’s architects to develop a masterplan for the area between Talbot Street and Sean McDermott Street – a key element of the NEIC Integrated Area Plan’s strategy to transform Dublin’s most deprived urban area into a neighbourhood where people would choose to live, work and visit.

On foot of the successful completion of the masterplan, PKA were appointed as architects for the regeneration of the Liberty House flats complex that stands between Foley Street and Sean McDermott Street. The project involved demolition of one of the existing 1960s blocks, and its replacement with 56 housing units, comprising a mixture of duplexes and apartments, as well as a new resource centre for the community. 

All ground floor units have own-door access from either the public street or the semi-enclosed courtyard; thereby mitigating the risks of anti-social behaviour in and around the development. 

Engaging with the existing tenants was a key element in developing the design: in public meetings and workshop sessions, PKA’s design responded to issues raised by residents, with the result that the completed scheme has been widely well received, both by its occupants and the wider community. 

Designed to achieve an A building energy rating, the project utilises self-condensing boilers, solar water heating, heat recovery systems, waste recycling and a highly insulated building fabric.

Completed in August 2014, Liberty House was highly commended in both the 2015 RIAI awards and the 2015 Irish Council for Social Housing awards.

Client: Dublin City Council

Value: €12,000,000

Size: 75 units

Reference: Ms. Ali Grehan, City Architect, DCC
Design: 2003-2005
Completion: 2014