National Library of Ireland

In 2002 the National Library acquired a large collection of James Joyce Manuscripts including newly discovered draft manuscripts for “Ulysses”. The Library wanted to put these documents and other papers on display to the public as part of the Bloomsday Centenary Celebrations. This made for a very tight timescale given the scale of the project and the deadline for completion in June 2004.

Works included the partial demolition of the 1920s extension to the NLI, the construction of a public lobby with new lift shaft to service three floors of the NCAD Building, including the exhibition floor, the creation of a new staircase to link the new existing ground floor of the NLI Main Building to the Former NCAD Building and construction of a new floor at Main Reading Room level over the lobby.

Particular care had to be taken with the remodelling of the former Director’s Office. The original 1890’s room had to be retained as much as possible while converting it into the primary access into the extension building.   The new access leads to a 3 storey atrium space from which the exhibition space, cafe and shop can all be reached.

The works included application Fire Safety Certificate application taking into account the historic nature of the building. We also designed specialist fire safety installations including an sprinkler installation and smoke control system from the atrium space.

The extent of the Consultancy Services for this facility included:

• Full Fire Safety design services

• Refurbishment works carried out in a “live” campus environment while the remainder of the National Library complex remained in operation.
• Integration with existing services

• Preliminary & scheme design
• Full design of specialist fire safety systems including automatic sprinkler installation and smoke extraction systems.
• Production of full tender package including Bills of Quantities
• Pre-tender cost estimate and check
• Tender evaluation
• Site monitoring and Witness testing during commissioning

Construction Cost: €12M