An architectural literature study on the Merrion Cricket Club Pavilion, Ireland

1. Submitted By:
Sakshi Singh
520215015
4th Semester, B.Arch
IIEST Shibpur
Dublin, Republic of Ireland

2. Name : Merrion Cricket Club Pavilion
Location : 4 Anglesea Road, Dublin 4, Ireland
Architect : TAKA Architecture Studio
Structural
Engineer : Casey O’ Rourke
Type New-Build Cricket Pavilion, Donnybrook, Dublin
Area 380m2 (internal)
Status Complete 2014
Awards
2015 – Best Leisure Building – RIAI Irish Architecture Awards
2015 – Award – Architectural Association of Ireland Awards

3. Merrion Cricket Club was founded in 1879 and has been at its present location since 1906. The site, tucked
behind period brick houses on Anglesea Road, faces west towards the River Dodder. The new pavilion
replaces an existing 1980’s pavilion which was severely damaged by flooding in 2010 - the last of 4
recorded floods on the site since 1900.
The new structure is a new-build cricket pavilion, replacing a flood damaged predecessor. The new pavilion
incorporates a flood protection strategy using waterproof concrete around the perimeter. The entrance
portico is located so as to frame the cricket square on approach. The viewing terrace is organized to allow
for multiple seating and viewing opportunities.

4. Building with the site
constraints in mind
The location and footprint of the new pavilion was
dictated by numerous site constraints. Although the
form of the new building appears from certain
vantage points to be highly irregular, it is in fact a
symmetrical pyramidal volume cut to fit the
irregular geometry of the site.
There were 2 driving factors in the technical
resolution of the new pavilion at Merrion Cricket
Club – a modest construction budget and flood
protection. These factors were combined with the
primary consideration of the desired coherency of
form and aesthetic of the building.
In response to the site’s flood risk the building is
raised up a number of steps and has a waterproof
concrete wainscoting up to window sill level.
Temporary flood barriers are dropped into door
openings in the event of a flood.

5. TAKA Architects designed
a single-storey pavilion
with a cafe, bar and loft
apartment for the Merrion
Cricket Club.
The architects designed a
brick and concrete
structure to replace an
existing 1980s pavilion
damaged by flooding four
years ago.

9.  Particular attention has been paid to the area between the bar windows, the viewing
terrace and the cricket pitch beyond to allow for multiple, simultaneous viewing
opportunities.
 The section is stepped and layered so as to offer numerous formal and informal vantage
points.
 Temporary flood barriers are dropped into door openings in the event of a flood. Above
this level, walls are either glazed or solid clay brick.
 These brick walls are used as permanent shuttering for the concrete ring beam which
wanders around the perimeter of the building.
 The most recent flood level on the site in 2010 was 1500mm above ground level. It was
decided that the new pavilion should be protected up to 1700mm (head height for most
people) above ground level.
 A water-proof concrete ‘container’ was constructed around the internal spaces with the
walls reaching up from ground level to 1100mm above the raised floor level – the ideal
height to lean against while viewing cricket or sipping a drink.
 Rooms are internally insulated behind the flood protective walls.
 Downpipes are concealed internally or cast into columns in the colonnade.
 The roof is formed from timber joists with steel ridges, the most cost-efficient method
due to its similarity to domestic construction.
 The roof is clad with standing seam pre-patinated zinc, chosen to withstand driving rain
at a low pitch and cricket balls at high speed.

10. A faceted roof tops the
building, which is made up
of two simple rectangular
volumes. The two blocks,
set at an angle to each
other, follow the same
footprint as their
predecessor.
Inference : The building
tries to retain some
elements of the previous
pavilion. The roof’s
construction follows the
site constraints. The
distorted roof
accommodates the
multiple requirements of
while recalling a singular
pavilion building
The pavilion is equipped
with a number of cricket-
ball-proofing devices.
These include glazed
windows and doors that
slide to one side during
matches and recessed
guttering with mesh.
Inference : This step
ensures decrease in the
annual cost of replacing
broken window panes "as a
result of stray cricket
balls“..
The lower floor is given over to a bar and
tea room for the public, and changing and
physiotherapy rooms for the
cricketers. There is also an apartment
housed under the large pitched roof
structure, creating a home for one club
member.
Inference : The presence of a
physiotherapy room for the injured
players is a good example to take
up. The utilization of the large
pitched roof for housing a club
member serves the dual purpose of
preventing wastage of space as
well as providing security to the
pavilion.

11. The building is raised on
three steps above the
playing field and has a
waterproof concrete
wainscoting up to the
windowsill level.
Inference : An aim to
prevent risk of future
flooding. Important in
areas with moderate to
high rainfall.
The roof overhangs a
colonnade that surrounds
the building to create a
viewing terrace.
Inference : Viewing from a
higher level provided.
Suitable for guests and
commentators.
Green painted benches with
zigzagging legs are
positioned in the gaps
between the concrete
columns that support the
roof structure. Three
concrete steps leading
down onto the pitch
provide an informal seating
area for spectators.
.
Inference : The bench
supports serve to visually
contrast with the heaviness
of the concrete structure.
Seats provided for both
formal and informal
spectators in case of
bigger and important
matches.
Under the entrance
portico at one end of
the building, a
concrete bench
inlaid with colourful
triangular tiles sits
on stacks of red
brick
The outline
of the
interior
space
largely
follows that
of the
earlier
clubhouse