HOLY SPIRIT NATIONAL SCHOOL
Primary School
Ballymun
Dublin 9
Completed 2005
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Holy Spirit National School, Ballymun The project provides the Holy Spirit National School with five new classrooms and much needed ancillary accommodation while also refurbishing the existing school hall and providing a front elevation to the new Ballymun.
This is achieved by demolishing the existing classrooms/ancillary spaces on either side of the existing school hall and rehousing existing switch room and ESB cabling. 5 no. new south facing classrooms are built either side of the existing hall. All other parts of the brief are contained on the north side of the dividing corridor. The corridor itself is both naturally lit and ventilated as are all toilets, which are all located on external walls. The new extension is connected internally with the wing buildings by means of a glazed link corridor at first floor level, access to which is gained from either of the stairwells at the entrances. The existing hall is brought up to Building Regulation standards with regard to ventilation and insulation while also updating all services necessary. Externally the hall is visually connected with the new extension by means of colour and window material.
The elevational intent to the south, facing the main entrance, is threefold. Firstly advantage is taken of the southern aspect getting as much light as is possible into the 5 new classrooms. The fenestration is broken up so as the scale of opening casements relate to both teacher and child. Secondly the existing hall is visually connected with the new extension through the use of colour and new windows. Thirdly the new south elevation is also the new front elevation of the school which will be facing onto the new Ballymun. All the entrances, including entrance to the refurbished hall, are signaled using a common material (coloured render) and also appropriate signage.
The in between space which occurs due to the siting of the new extension building relative to the existing wing buildings becomes an entrance space for either school. The glazed corridor link provides appropriate signage.
All classrooms face south and are naturally lit and ventilated with the monopitch roof allowing light to penetrate through to the wet area at the classroom entrance. All classroom stores and WCs are located on the corridor side of the classrooms. All WCs are naturally lit and ventilated.
Architects: Gerry Cahill, Fergal White, Pat Barry
