“Spill & Cinch”: 1920s Cultural Quarters

The main objective of this project was to convert an existing building into an entirely different use. The building I chose is the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation located on Kildare Street, Dublin. Due to the serious nature of this building, I wanted to completely change the atmosphere in the space. After intensively researching the building and surrounding area I discovered a history of card clubs was quite prominent. This sparked my intrigue in the cultural aspects of these card clubs, thus causing me to create this 1920’s inspired quarters. The concept for the entire design derived from a series of experiments stemming from the burning of coins. Shapes were extracted to create a geometric inspired design, whilst also taking inspiration from the 1920’s, primarily the Art Deco art and design movement. The building includes several functions from jazz bars to a theatre-dining experience to a cigar lounge and, of course, a card club. The building should be experienced by the user as an escape into a luxurious 1920’s lifestyle.