Local school receives top conservation grant

St Brendan's Community School in Birr is the first building in Ireland to receive a prestigious conservation grant awarded to examples of modern architecture deemed to be of international importance.

The Getty Foundation's 'Keeping it Modern' architectural conservation grant is aimed at conserving important buildings of the 20th century around the world.

Designed by Peter and Mary Doyle Architects and built in 1974, St Brendan’s Community School is the first building in Ireland to receive this recognition.

The ‘Keeping it Modern’ grant initiative funds the preservation of works of modern architecture, which the Getty Foundation identifies as ‘one of the defining artistic forms of the 20th century.’

These modern buildings, originally at the cutting edge of building technology, are now facing challenges of material degradation and poor environmental performance that leave them vulnerable to deterioration or demolition.

To this end the grant funds research to help protect and conserve these buildings, to offer them a long life into the 21st century.

Queen’s University Belfast working with John McLaughlin Architects have been awarded funding to develop an environmental and conservation plan for St Brendan’s Community School.

One of three school buildings designed and built by Peter and Mary Doyle, St Brendan's is considered to be their finest and it won the Royal Institute of Irish Architects (RIAI) triennial gold medal for architecture for the period 1980-82, in recognition of its significance and quality.

Like many buildings of this period, however, the school needs to be renewed, particularly to meet acceptable environmental standards and energy usage. With the team at QUB and the Department of Education and Skills, John McLaughlin Architects, who specialise in the conservation of modern architecture, have been commissioned, along with David Maher Associates Engineers, to develop the research. St Brendan’s School has served the community of Birr for the last almost 40 years, the aim of the funding is to ensure its continued use as a vibrant school for 900 pupils into the future.