UNBUILT / HONOR 

Entry Name: St. James Hospital (Ospidéal San Seamus)Dublin, Ireland
Firm: HDR Architecture, Inc.
Owner: St. James Hospital

St. James Medical Center anchors the southwest corner of the medical district known as St. James’s Hospital in the City of Dublin, Ireland and is directly adjacent to the Rialto Metro stop located on the Luas Line that connects the district to central Dublin.

The parti was derived from urban studies of the general organization of Dublin around the River Liffey and Dublin Harbor (i.e. opening slide). The shell of the building uses a kit of parts inspired by the patterns found in Irish lace needle work and the translucent and layered qualities that they embody. The solution is an almost prescribed massing (by the planning authority). The “L” Shaped bed tower shifts to the east suspending it over, while maintaining, the public plaza on grade adjacent to the rialto metro station and minimizing the ground encroachment to singular support and exit stair. This shift also allows the western mass of the building to soften the transition to the residential neighborhoods across the street. The kit of parts includes Photovoltaic fins, curtain wall, channel glass and a custom stone panel rain screen system.
   
Jury Comments: The concept addresses pragmatic issues with innovative design ideas. Its contextual awareness allows a graceful monumental quality, while still relating to the human scale through ephemeral means. The result is a masterful synthesis of design and economy.