Archaeological research centre and woodland planting scheme, designed around four ancient ringforts.

My project, “Uncovering the Past” is an Archeological Research Centre located around four ringforts in the fields leading up to Slieve Foye, in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland. Its purpose is to bring new life to the area around the ringforts, which is currently overgrown and forgotten.

The design acts as a hub for the Irish Archeology Institute to congregate and host lectures, as well as being a flagship for the public to visit, and explore. The centre is a multi-use space, including a museum, offices, lecture theatre and cafe. As a place of learning I felt the design needed to personify the site’s history, through form and materiality.

This is seen in how the building gently wraps around one of the ringforts, raised above the ground on stilts to have a less imposing presence on the landscape and provide a different experience of the ringfort. The stilts are made of ash wood, paying homage to the history of the surrounding fields and the Celtic Ogham alphabet, which is closely linked with native Irish trees. Another important aspect of the design is how it interacts with the sun; the building has a open walkway between the winter and summer solstice sunrise, points to allow the sunrise to be visible throughout the design.

The wider site plan includes, a walkway linking the ringforts which will sit within a newly planted mixed woodland. The aim is to complement and enhance the area, and provide an opportunity to explore ancient Irish history and the natural environment.