Students in the IT Carlow Architectural Technology honours programme presented their design proposals to the Kilmacthomas Woollen Mills Development Committee at the Carlow campus on 16 May. The project involves the conservation of the C19th (former) Woollen Mill in County Waterford, a topical subject with all the complexities and challenges of a live project.
The aim of the project was to give students an opportunity to develop appropriate technical solutions for the conservation and change of use of a legally ‘protected structure’. The fact that the Kilmacthomas Woollen Mills Development Committee are currently exploring new uses for the former woollen mill buildings placed the students work in a ‘live’ context, which highlighted the relevance and value of their work.
The exhibition and presentation of the students’ work provided the Kilmacthomas committee with richly drawn examples of a variety of possibilities for this important building conservation challenge.
John McDonough, chairman of the Kilmacthomas Woollen Mills Development Committee, commented that the students “should be proud of their work” and welcomed the fact that they had “not limited their imagination in their approach to their work”. He also considered that the students’ work was professional and practical. “Thank you for inviting us to see your work. We received an education today” concluded John McDonough.
Edwin Landzaad, Head of the Department of the Built Environment at IT Carlow said that this project was a great opportunity for both the students and the community, using real life projects as a meaningful educational tool.
The projects are on exhibition in the IT Carlow upper- level Canteen until Friday 31 May.