Combining old and new at the Hugh Lane Art Gallery

Project in brief
This mid-eighteenth century building, designed by Sir William Chambers for Lord Charlemont, occupies a prominent position on Parnell Square and houses the Municipal Gallery for Modern Art. This designated Protected Structure also includes two conjoined Georgian buildings at the end of an adjacent terrace, formerly the National Ballroom.

The main building, Charlemont House, is a three storey structure over basement comprising external and internal loadbearing masonry walls with an ashlar façade, slated timber double-pitched roof, timber upper floors with ornate terrazzo on a vaulted brick ground floor, and both timber and stone staircases.

The refurbishment contract included the removal of load-bearing walls, construction of a tall glass lobby, and localised strengthening and repairs. The main contract comprised the construction of a new three storey RC structure over basement to house the Seán Scully Gallery, the Harry Clarke Exhibition, an art restoration laboratory, secure storage and a number of additional galleries. The new build features a full-height glazed central atrium and a planar glazing façade. In addition, the adjacent Georgian buildings were stabilised with general remedial work to strengthen the timber floors and restrain the façades with concealed structural ties.