Galco goes GAGA for Clongriffin

Ceardean Ltd have been announced as the Duplex Award Winner 2011 for Clongriffin Train Station. The Galvanising Association Galvanising Awards (GAGA’s) are held annually to recognise innovative and sustainable use of galvanising by engineers, architects and contractors.

 The new station design provides a semi-open space, with glazing that not only offers both a full view of platforms below and incoming trains, but which is also naturally ventilated. The agile curved roof provides a skylight letting in additional natural light, and reducing the requirement of artificial lighting for energy efficiency. Residents of Clongriffin and the Coast Developments can now reach the city centre in as little as 17 minutes. An important aspect of the station design was that of providing easy and safe access to platforms via two matching staircases.

During the design of these staircases development issues arose relating to the fabrication, structural integrity, ongoing maintenance and risk of vandalism. It was decided late in the construction process to redesign the stairs, to create a more durable solution that would require less maintenance. 

The design was manufactured in single stair components that were galvanized in one piece by Galco. These were then painted in our controlled environment paint facility with Galvacoat. The station is located beside the sea and by minimising the components of the stairs, its durability and resistance to the harsh sea climate could be guaranteed.

As you move around the staircase the curved nature sets a moiré pattern of solids and transparencies playing against the striking staircase geometries. The clean minimal surfaces focus your attention to the yellow handrails which guide you through the staircase.

The staircases were designed by Derek Trenaman (Ceardean Ltd) while working with Murray O’ Laoire Architects under appointment by Liam Boyle (Irish Rail). Fabrication of the staircases were undertaken by Thomas O’Regan of O’Regan Ironworks.

Galco are proud to have worked with these industry professionals and to have helped complete this fantastic project.

Follow the flickr link to see the photos.