St Maur's Church dominates the village green on the Western edge of Rush – once a place of worship now a centre of learning. Fingal County Council commissioned McCullough Mulvin Architects to transform the church into a new public library for the town. The work combined investigation and conservation of the existing structure with a particular concern for the rescue of ordinary materials.
A distinct intervention is made internally, an undulating walnut plane that fills the nave and pushes tensely against the older masonry walls. In plan it is like a clump of seaweed, referencing its marine location. In section, it forms an inverted U, the space between conceived as a city street. This street deforms the route from entrance to 'altar', forcing it to meander. New glimpses are made through this timber lined world to the old church beyond.
Externally, the churchyard became a garden, strips of concrete inset with names of the town and library. These are interspersed with channels planted with grasses and vegetables. The spirit of the graveyard, and the town's agricultural basis now extended for a new generation.
- Address: Chapel Green, Rush, Co. Dublin
- Client: Fingal County Council
- GPS: 53.522675, -6.101972
- Civil & Structural Engineers: Barrett Mahony Consultant Engineers
- M&E Engineers: McArdle McSweeney Associates
- Quantity Surveyor: Boyd Creed Sweett
- Contractor: Dunwoody & Dobson
- Awards:
- 2019 RIAI Silver Medal for Conservation 2008-2010 - Highly Commended
- 2011 Europa Nostra Award - Special Mention
- 2010 RIAI Awards - Best Conservation/Restoration - Winner
- 2009 World Architecture Festival Awards - Shortlisted
- 2009 Opus Architecture and Construction Awards - Highly Commended