GREEN HEART = URBAN OASIS

The park as it is today is a beautiful green oasis in the city centre. It has been a gathering point for generations of Corkonians.

Cork now embarks on an exciting and challenging expansion both in its city limits and in the number of inhabitants.

Bishop Lucey Park’s importance as one of the few green public spaces will be magnified as it will need to cater to a large variety of people and uses. It will need  to be more functional and adaptable white still retaining its character as an oasis in the city centre.

GIARDINO AS AN ECONOMIC TRIGGER

Green common spaces are foundational elements in cities. Still today they are among the best economic catalysts, boosting the value of the built environment around them.

ECOLOGIC RESOURCES

Trees are fundamental in the fight against pollution and climate change. They are a valuable actor also in neutralizing contaminated soil.

ENERGY EFFICIENT ELEMENT

Trees protect cities from wind and extreme weather conditions, thus contributing to a more pleasurable urban experience. Preservation and Intensification of the green character of the site is crucial in the project.

URBAN CONNECTIONS

The park should emphasise the urban connection from East to West, making the transversal links to Tuckey St. more permeable to the surrounding neighborhood.

EXPAND THE PARK IN URBAN

The park and its luxurious vegetation should involve the urban spaces in Grand Parade and South Main St. positioning itself as a precious node in the urban network of public spaces.

PUBLIC SPACES IN THE PARK

The existing entrances of the park should be incorporated into the public spaces of the Grand Parade and South  Main St, creating filter & transition zones between the streetscape and the urban oasis inside the park.

THE SPINE OF THE NEW PATHS

A new hierarchy of paths is designed. All the entrances are connected in a more direct way through the site. Existing routes are reinforced and new ones are discovered. Accessibility is maximized and a new system of framing is created.

A WHOLE NEW PARK

These new open Frames create one solid image that allows the park to be perceived as a whole, while hosting a plurality of spaces with distinct characters.

5 GARDENS

The system of pathways define 5 new pocket gardens, inspired by the sequence of courtyards in a monastery. These varied arrays of permeable rooms will cater to the maximum diversity of users and actions through the site.

CAFÉ POD + NEW TREES

To emphasize the ancient wall and the historic gate, the cafèpod is moved to a new position, reinforcing the urban role of the stage and tribue for events and daily life. On South Main street, new trees connect the park to the urban environment.

PERCEPTION AND VISUAL

The new park is designed to be perceived as a whole space, but the subdivision into 5 small pocket gardens allows for more intimate and rich experiences. 

COVERED COLONNADE

1.  Entrance Grand Parade

2. Entrance South Main Street

3. Entrance Tuckey St.

4. Dehors Oval Bar and Café

GARDENS

1. Archeology Garden - Ancient City Wall

2. Tribune Garden

3. Water Garden

4. Prairie Garden - scattered chairs

5. Woods and Landscape Table - pic-nic area

6. Hilly Garden

URBAN PARK

1. Cafè

2. Fountain

3. City Gates

4. English Market

5. The Oval

6. Triskel Arts Centre

7. Christchurch Graveyard

a. Freestanding Arc

b. Exposed city walls

c. Sculpture

d. Cork bikes docking point

e. Cafe/bar 

f. Site for proposed Vision Centre

HILLY GARDEN A green space with a moulded landscape of rolling hills.

WOODS GARDEN The garden is dominated by trees and wildlife.

PRAIRE GARDEN It is a large lawn dotted with chairs, the perfect place to take a break in the open air.

WATER GARDEN This is the most intimate garden, dedicated to water, a space for contemplation.

ARCHEOLOGY GARDEN The existing Historical City Wall is the main focus of this garden.

AUDITORIUM The space facing the Grand Parade features a large wooden plateau to host events.

The calendar shows the colors of the herbaceous and perennials mix throughout the seasons, showing a wide spectrum of colors and nuances for the whole year.

A PERMEABLE TREE CANOPY

New trees with a light and transparent crown are introduced.

FOLIAGE AND DIFFERENT SEASONAL COLORS

New trees are chosen to emphasize seasonal change of colors.

DIFFERENT TYPOLOGIES AND ARCHITECTURES OF TREES

Ecological richness is introduced in the design of the gardens, through the insertion of new species.

TAG AND DIGITALIZE EVERY TREE

Tags and Qr code allow to view all information about each plant.

NOT ONLY TREES: USE THE WHOLE RANGE OF VEGETATION

Shrubs, tall grasses, climbing and herbaceous plants are implemented in the garden to enhance biodiversity.

BELONGING AND IDENTITY

A new sense of belonging is promoted through a proactive strategy.

CREATE GARDENERS GROUPS

An association of voluntary gardeners will take care of the new botanical species.

CREATE A SIGNATURE CHAIR

To promote the new identity of the park, we propose to uniform the urban furniture by creating a signature chair of the garden.

A PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES

The park, with its range of spaces and devices, opens up to a variety of events and programs. 

CREATE A WEBSITE AND AN APP

This new-born richness deserves acknowledgement, care and promotion. A website and app collect all aspects of the new identity of the place.

FIRST PHASE

The main east west colonnade across the park is created. The site opens up to its urban fronts, on the Grand ParadE and the inner green areas of the park are planted with the new trees.

SECOND PHASE

The gardens and the integration of the colonnades are completed. The elements are made from standard components, assembled in simple construction.

CONTEXT

The first layer is mounted on the buildings surrounding the park. These will be placed higher than the arcade and the light will be diffuse in nature. It will be background lighting and source of light for larger events. Using the existing buildings reduces the need for extra foundations or structures to support the fixtures.

ARCHITECTURAL

The second layer will be related to and integrated in the arcade. It will illuminate the pathways through the park. This will contribute to safety in the park when it is dark, still providing a valuable urban link also in the evening moments.

SCENOGRAPHIC

The third level of lighting is smaller scale ground fixtures, this will bring focus to a specific type of vegetation, function or element in the park, for example the tribune. This lighting directed towards the major natural elements of the design (large trees, as well as tall grasses and shrubs) will emphasize the sculptural, dynamic and aesthetic qualities of the gardens.