Client Description
Located just yards from James Connolly’s former home on the Falls Road, Áras Uí Chonghaile is a modern and inspirational visitor centre that captures the essence of the Falls Road community.
James Connolly was a visionary with formidable ideas, whose values and ideals remain profoundly relevant over a century after his execution. Their mission at Áras Uí Chonghaile is to introduce a new generation of Irish citizens and international visitors to Connolly’s enduring legacy and influential ideas.
The Project
Áras Uí Chonghaile is located in the heart of the Gaeltacht Quarter on Falls Road, Belfast.
Lightsource Studio were tasked by McGurk Architects to create a lighting scheme complementary to the varied uses of each space within and outside the Visitors Centre. There is a library on the first floor, fully furnished event space and cafe, along with an interactive exhibition space.
The exterior of the building is partially clad in corten steel, perforated to reveal a portrait of James Connolly’s face. Lightsource Studio needed to create an exterior lighting scheme to not only compliment, but also highlight the perforations, and bring the building to life at night.
The Lighting
The Xenia lighting system by Linea Light was used to wash up and down the perforated corten steel, creating an even wash of light.
Inside, the use of simple, yet efficient, surface mounted lights lend the event spaces an uncluttered, modern feel. Small cylindrical surface cans have been used sparingly to emphasise key features such as seating areas and exhibition boards.
In the cafe, Tala bulbs have been used in a variety of shapes to add a more welcoming feel and warmth to the open plan space.
