Loughrea has been announced as one of six towns participating in ‘Reimagine’, a community-led architecture and design programme organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation. The programme aims to bring together local communities, architects, designers and planners to develop projects to enhance their environments.
The Loughrea project will see the creation of an architectural installation along ‘The Walks’. The Irish Architecture Foundation has been working with The Walks Steering Group to develop this project, as well as members of Galway County Council, including the architectural conservation officer, and the heritage officer.
Commenting on the announcement of the towns participating in Reimagine, Nathalie Weadick, director of the IAF, says a key part of the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Strategy is to enable citizens to contribute to and improve their built environment, and this lies at the heart of Reimagine. “No one knows more about Loughrea than the people who live there, and the overall aim of Reimagine is to enable local residents to bring about positive change to Loughrea through collaborative engagement with professionals in architecture, planning, and design.
“We’re looking forward to progressing the Reimagine projects in each of the towns in the coming months. Architecture is a civic right, fundamental to the fabric of life, and has the power to improve the daily lives of everyone.”
Other towns participating in Reimagine – Tallaght, Co Dublin: ‘Melt the Walls’ will focus on enhancing Chamber Square for the local residents with a temporary installation, connecting it with the surrounding cultural buildings Mohill, Co Leitrim: The project involves working with the community redeveloping a disused building as low-cost accommodation for people engaged in sports in the area
Kilrush, Co Clare: The project is to develop a long-term plan and vision for the town which will have maximum benefit for the local residents and businesses
Kells, Co Meath: The project will explore how empty buildings in the town can be repurposed for the use of the community
Letterkenny, Co Donegal: To develop a pedestrian ‘cultural corridor’ to better link the existing cultural buildings in Letterkenny town.
Denise Maguire
Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine
Email: denise@mcdmedia.ie