Keith Williams creates new cultural hub for Ennis

Construction has begun on the new Clare County Library in Ennis, Co. Clare, in south-west Ireland. Designed by Keith Williams Architects, the new 2,300 sq m building for Clare County Council was conceived as a new cultural hub, located next to the town’s existing Glór Theatre. In addition to the library, the facility will include a small contemporary art gallery. 

Keith Williams, the firm’s founder and director of design, stated: “This is a very important day in the genesis of this project. By placing the new County Library and Art Gallery immediately abutting Glór, a new cultural nexus will be created uniting the 3 primary colours of the arts – the visual, the literary and performing arts – all in a single complex.” 

The main library is wrapped in an undulating curved façade that gives the design its unique identity, while blending the two-storey building into the shape of the surrounding site. On the first floor, the library service is located above the library itself, with the art gallery housed in its own cubic form. When complete, the new main entrance will form a single gateway to the arts spaces.
 
Helen Walsh, county librarian, said: “Clare has always been to the forefront of library innovation and it is fitting that a 21st century library will be delivered for the citizens of Ennis and the county. It is exciting to think that by the end of 2021,  this new library will be standing in an embracing arm around Glór helping to showcase the best of what is on offer in the county in the visual, literary and performing arts."

Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research

This tender was first published by TenderStream on 24.02.2014 here

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