Monika Uzpalyte

Monika Uzpalyte considers herself to be a creative individual driven by the passion for different interiors always looking out for new unique designs. Since a young age there has always been an interest for the design of homes, how different buildings are built, keeping a close eye on architectural features and as time went on the view narrowed more into interior, looking at different furniture pieces, colours but yet keeping an eye out for the beautiful architectural work that can be found in interiors. In the past four years she has learnt how to manage time and work under pressure and present a high quality of work that she is proud of. Interior design is always changing and growing leaving room to learn more and always improve.

Club Geailge Culture Centre

The aim of this thesis project is to redesign The Bank of Ireland Building that is located in Dublin 2, 39-40 Saint Stephen's Green (East), Merrion Row into an Irish culture centre. Corner-sited three-storey bank, built 1913, having five-bay elevation to Saint Stephen's Green, canted corner bay, and four-bay elevation to Merrion Row. Flat roof, behind red brick parapet laid in English garden wall bond with moulded granite coping. Shouldered red brick chimneystacks with clay pots. English garden wall brickwork to first and second floors. Architect of the building is Charles Herbert Ashworth, he also designed, provincial bank Grafton Street Dublin in 1921. The location of the building is perfect some of the greatest Dublin’s attractions are only a walk away such as Grafton Street and Saint Stephens Greens Park. Also, the location is very accessible with multiple Dublin Bus stops around and the Luas Green line stopping right outside.

Club Gaeilge will aim to provide a safe comfortable environment for people who want to pick up the Irish language or for people who already are flaunt just don’t get to use it often. There will be a lot of different opportunities for people to use the Irish language, there will be a culinary arts class held in the Irish language and there will be a cinema in the basement and a library on the second floor where you can sit on the rooftop and enjoy the view. There will also be a bar and restaurant where you will be able to order your food in the Irish language. Hopefully this will influence people to start using the language a little bit more in there day to day.

The concept for Club Gaeilge was driven by Newgrange, incorporating the swirls that are found in on the beautiful stones and the greenery that surrounds the area. The design is reflected through the whole building we can see the beautiful different shades of green on each level and the swills incorporated in the void and wall details. The basement was inspired by the Irish stew, we see lovely noodle bars around Dublin that are inspired by the dish so the basement of Club Geailge too a spin on that and incorporated the Irish stew into the design creating a very unusual and unique space for people to visit.