Smithfield, Dublin
moisture from the air (or, in times of drought, is
watered during construction) creating a semi-rigid
rather than a rigid surface.
Each of the 26m masts features a base-hinged
arrangement which, in conjunction with a hydraulic
counterbalance unit, allows the mast to be lowered
to ground level. At the installation stage, this allows
the necessary equipment to be fitted to the mast at
ground level and routine maintenance is carried out
without the need for expensive access systems.
The gas brazier fitted to each mast produces a 2m-
high flame.
The masts were purpose-designed by Abacus, the
lighting contractor, to accommodate the complex
cabling system required to fuel the gas braziers,
as well as an elaborate indirect lighting system at
approximately half the height of the braziers. This
utilises a reflector system and a dish containing the
floodlights and casts a soft general light over the
space. The gas-fuelled braziers are powered by a
unit contained in a building at the southern end of
the site, visually mitigated to some extent by the
existing mature trees.
Evaluation
Smithfield is a visually stimulating and socially
diverse public space. It exudes drama and is a
landmark with its iconic lighting columns topped
with braziers complemented by the visually strong
and unified ground design and detail. In the city of
Dublin, this scheme has been key to the extensive
regeneration of the area. The scheme illustrates,
in its impact, the development of a European fla-
vour within modern Irish landscape architecture
and urban design. Situated in the north inner city
in a traditionally working-class area, the site had
to maintain its previous functions while improving
the visual amenity of the space and its potential for
adjacent redevelopment.Smithfield is a complete spatial entity, with a strong
and clear design philosophy. The 45º angle increas-
es the apparent width of the space and, in its detail,
provides for interesting cut lines on the kerbing,
adjacent to the street and on the drop kerbs at the
south-eastern end of the site. The quality of this
detail is emphasised by competent implementation,
particularly around the carriageways and dropped
kerbs, which is highlighted by its continuing integ-
rity despite the reported failings in traffic manage-
ment. The width and design of the carriageway,
with its frequent level crossing points and depth of
paving edge, permit only slow vehicular movements
and this assists in the comprehension of the space2.7
The drama of Smithfield at dusk