Bar Library Belfast, Northern Ireland

Architect/Designer:

Robinson Mcllwaine

Client:

The Bar Council

Main Contractor:

Gilbert Ash Northern Ireland

Completion Date:

2004

Portland Stone:

Bowers Basebed, Bowers Whitbed, Bowers Roach & Portland Blue

Scope of Project:

Traditional Cladding, Internal Flooring and Decorative Stonework

This is a new development on the site of the old Variety Market of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The selection of stone was made simple by the desire to pay respect to the adjacent Royal Courts of Justice.

Adapting the scale and proportions of the adjacent building, the new Bar Library Headquarters exterior uses contrasting planes of Portland stone (Basebed, Whitbed and Roach),blue engineering brick, and glass to create an abstract formation that complements and contrasts with its neighbouring building.

The interior was treated as an extension of the exterior with the planes of Portland limestone returning into the building where possible, forming an illusion that the building was created from a series of boxes. Polished Portland Blue was used for the floors.