KEY PERSONNEL:
PROJECT CHALLENGES:
Conservation of newly discovered heritage feature; safe public access
AWARDS:
RICS Award: Tourism & Leisure (winner), 2014
Sustainable Ireland Building Project the Year (winner), 2014
Sustainable Ireland Biodiversity Project the Year (Gold Winner), 2014
Federation of Passenger Transport NI: Coast Friendly Award (winner), 2014
Lough Neagh Partnership - Lough Neagh Award (winner), 2014
Refurbishment of Victorian subterranean pumphouse
During restoration of Antrim Castle Grounds, the tracking of a Victorian wall led to the discovery of a circular brick chamber with side openings, all of which were filled with earth. Excavation revealed tunnels that had linked a pumphouse to sunken gardens and in the centre of the hub was the cast iron hand pump that was originally used to supply water to formal ponds.
Existing overflow drainage from the canals, was diverted away from the line of the tunnels for discharge into the Six Mile Water. Walls were extended above ground-level with a castellated design and copings sympathetic to the original theme. Brickwork and vaulted roof were restored; ceramic floor tiles reset to original design.
TAYLOR+BOYD designed a tubular steel frame structure to support a glazed roof that provided the public with views of the pumping station from outside and above.
