Tallaght Zip & Village Plaza wins the 2009 RIAI award for public space.

Tallaght Zip & Village Plaza wins the 2009 RIAI award for public space.

The Tallaght Zip is a high-quality dedicated pedestrian and cycle corridor linking the Luas stop to the Institute of Technology and the old village. The new link allows clearer and easier connectivity between both centres. A main feature of the Zip is a Greenwall that runs the length of the scheme creating a solid enclosure of planting that improves amenity and helps to mask the inconsistent older boundary walls. New public lighting poles have been designed especially for the project to light the Zip and existing roadways and up-lighters under very tree help to create a safe and well-lit space day and night. The use of rhythm and materials play a key part in defining uses on the Zip. The buff strip provides a clear zone for the cyclist, while the wider space for the pedestrians is defined by new trees. Public lighting and changes in materials are designed in distinct and repeating bays yet create a continuous ad connected urban space along its length

As part of the Zip project, two high quality public spaces were redeveloped in the old village. The material used in the Zip were repeated in the plazas to define different areas of the space. Silver grey granite predominantly used on the ground surface is continued up to form new boundary walls. Silver Lime trees are linked back via black granite strips in the ground to the new raised planter also clad in black granite. New seats along the planter wall provide a perfect place to view the relocated sculpture or be a meeting point. The Zip and is plazas are a clear sign of the Councils commitment to quality not just in urban design but in the implementation of such projects on the ground.

The scheme was designed by Sen Harrington Architects in conjunction with South Dublin County Council Architects Department. It has been premiated as the Best New Public Space in the prestigious annual awards of the RIAI, a national validation of commitment to modern design.

Background:

When Tallaght Village began to expand in the 1980s the emphasis was on industry and larger retail uses. The absence of public transport resulted in large surface car-parks.

This fragmented pattern developed trafficked roads rather than user-friendly pedestrian streets. Since its establishment South Dublin County Council has committed itself to the creation of a busy, vibrant public realm in Tallaght, the county town. Easy, legible connections and a higher quality of amenity encourage street activity, reduce security concerns and increase economic, social and community activity and this has been Council policy in recent years. The traditional model of the town with its streets, squares and parks is understandable and welcoming to new and existing residents alike. Tallaght changed with the arrival of Luas. Its new quarter, with plazas, public buildings and busy cafes offers diversity and choice. It is important however to link the historical village of Tallaght with the new growing quarter.