This master-planning and landscape design study for Fingal County
Council, Dublin, Ireland, addresses transformation of closed and capped
landfills. The study proposes to turn the now-closed Dunsink Landfill
into a civic place where visitors are exposed to multiple ecosystems and
the history of the site. As an ecological and educational mechanism and
a public amenity, the project proposes a new idea of civic space, where
the effects of the city on the countryside are understood. New
circulation systems, habitats, and activity areas diversify the site.
Numerous techniques connect the place to its context. Hedge rows, the
traditional means to divide agricultural land in Ireland, surround the
landfill site. These hedgerows not only indicate parcels and ownership,
but also function to break the harsh Irish winds. New hedgerows extend
across the landfill to both divide the large site and break the wind to
create various environmental conditions. Vast patches of local plants
like heather, gorse, beech trees, sitka spruce, vetch, and birch, create
a diverse composition of color when in bloom. Formed topography
retains water on site in natural storm water treatment areas. Variety in
environmental conditions breeds various local ecosystems.
The master plan situates research space, offices, exhibition space,
restaurant, and parking so that they create a link between the park, its
immediate context, and transportation networks. Recreation activities
are designed in relation to the larger circulation networks and
ecosystems, producing varied environments and relationships.
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Area : 90 hectares landscape + 3,500 m2 building area
Client: Speculative project for Fingal County Council, Dublin, Ireland
from forrestfulton
