GYM AT GARDA HEADQUARTERS

Phoenix Park
Dublin 8

Completed 2007

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As part of the ongoing OPW refurbishments of the Garda Head Quarters in Phoenix Park, GCA Gerry Cahill Architects were commissioned to refurbish the Garda gym.

The gym building, tucked away in a corner of the 1842 Jacob Owen Barracks, was itself an addition to the original complex, and had acquired an agglomeration of temporary structures fulfilling the duties of changing rooms and ancillary functions.

The temporary buildings were cleared to provide a more direct new entrance area, with changing facilities and a meeting room also created from the constrained available area.

Pre-patinated copper cladding provides the only exterior expression of the works and announce the presence of the facility.

In addition to a complete mechanical overhaul, the gym was refurbished by clearing the existing plaster off the wall and raking out the joints. A new surface was provided by applying lacquered Birch veneer plywood panels in a pattern to the walls.

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