Architecture students from IT Sligo are helping to create a new age-friendly cultural space for one of the west of Ireland’s best known theatres.
In a new collaboration involving the Hawk’s Well Theatre, IT Sligo and Sligo Age Friendly Alliance, students from the Institute’s Architectural Design course have developed a design for a new entrance to enhance the Hawk’s Well accessibility for visitors.
The theatre’s current location in Sligo town has presented access issues for disabled users, parents with child buggies and people with mobility issues.
The new collaboration has involved several months of research, field trips and presentations by the Hawk’s Well Theatre, culminating in an architectural competition amongst the Institute’s architecture students.
They were asked to develop practical and elegant new entrance design for the Hawk’s Well building which would enable all users to have the special theatre experience.
The submissions sought to make the Hawk’s Well fully wheelchair and child-buggy improving lighting, path surface, aesthetically upgrading the space to make it a ‘VIP’ style experience appealing to all generations.
The students were judged on stringent criteria ensuring that the designs complemented the existing building and surroundings; could be implemented cost effectively, mindful of maintenance and that it could be reused once the extensive proposed renovation works of the theatre were completed.
The winning design was created by four second-year Architectural Design students: Peter Hannon (Sligo), Abaigeal Doherty (Charlestown, Sinéad McGeehan (Glenties Co Donegal), Severin Schlesier (Ennis)
Their design used timber and coloured lighting to create an entrance that met age friendly criteria in terms of social engagement, safety, accessibility and signage.
“IT Sligo is delighted to contribute the skills of the architecture programme to a live project for the local community,” said Clíona Brady, Lecturer Architectural Design/Interior Architecture & Design.
“It is particularly worthwhile for the students to be part of a project that highlights the importance of accessibility for all users as well as demonstrating what a difference design collaboration can make in Sligo.”
As the populations of many nations grow older, experts predict the most successful, economically viable and vibrant communities of the future will be those that allow for and actively encourage greater mobility, productivity, optimal health and well-being. An age-friendly community works for residents of all ages and is also one in which leaders understand the needs and preferences of older adults.
The Hawk’s Well Theatre, which hosts in excess of 370 events each year, is now working towards securing the funding to implement the winning design.
Photo caption:
L-R: IT Sligo Architectural Design students Abaigeal Doherty, Sinéad McGeehan, Severin Schlesier and Peter Hannon, who created the winning competition design for the proposed new age-friendly and access-friendly entrance at the Hawk’s Well Theatre in Sligo.