Architectural Dublin / Temple Bar / Temple Bar Square

Architects: Grafton Architects
Public Access

One of three new public spaces in the Temple Bar area - the others being the Curved Street and Meetinghouse Square, Temple Bar Square was created by setting back from the existing street line a new range of buildings.

The main building facing onto the square is of mixed use containing apartments, shop units and several restaurants. This building is designed as a steel grid containing differing infill panels - engineering brick and glass as well as some open areas. The architects treated the surface as a taut canvas stretched between the steel grid. A central void allows light into the apartments - all of which have private terraces or access to a common roof garden.

The square in front of the building is rather windswept with a few trees and light fittings. As a public space it doesn't succeed like Meetinghouse Square which is used for public events and markets.