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Murray &
Associates, Landscape Architecture was commissioned by the
Industrial Development Authority of Ireland to prepare landscape
development proposals for the existing Business Park at
Parkmore. The sites have been developed over a number of
years to accommodate business and industrial activities
of varying scales and intensities. This has led to large
variety in both the built environment and the surrounding
landscape which were developed at different times and to
serve different functions.
The report presented preliminary proposals for the further
landscape improvement of the site. The proposals endeavoured
to initiate a bold and fundamental improvement of the public
spaces and facilities which would be appropriate, modern
and suitable as a setting for business and industry.
The proposals put forward in this document encompassed a
wider vision which addressed concepts of orientation, order
and unity. The aims of the proposals were as follows:
- To create a high quality landscape setting for the facilities
as a whole, providing a visually and spatially stimulating
environment for the workers.
- To propose a master landscape strategy which can be applied
as new units are proposed and built. This will ensure
a high quality setting for each unit.
- To respect the context and character of each site.
- To unify each site within the framework of the existing
buildings and landscape features.
- To provide each site with a distinctive, contemporary
landscape which reflects the industrial or technological
business environment.
- To propose a landscape scheme which can be maintained
in a practical and sustainable manner.
The requirements and subsequent proposals for the site began
to manifest themselves as strategic interventions located
within the landscape. These interventions were located along
an axis, which extended into the Business Park along existing
and proposed routes. The sculptural interventions were naturally
drawn towards the extant earth mounds, which dominated the
immediate horizon, and the junctions which dominated approaching
routes. The interventions occupied specific points within
the Business Park and were visible from the surrounding
area. Acting primarily as beacons and sculptural landmarks
they also served to effect a type of hierarchy and order
upon the site which was previously absent.
The sculptures were designed using both traditional and
modern materials. During the day light hours the timber
structures which are wrapped in copper and the light stainless
steel frames which are wrapped in braided steel wire act
as markers and are visually stimulating. At night time the
their presence is extended with lighting which emanates
from beneath copper hoods and along the braided wires. Additional
lighting throughout the Business Park complemented the light
sculptures and provided vistas and acted as directional
indicators which flowed towards them.
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