‘Beyond the Trees’; an entirely new visitor experience within its grounds, featuring the longest tree top walk in Ireland.
Avondale House in Co. Wicklow, built in 1775, has recently opened ‘Beyond the Trees’; an entirely new visitor experience within its grounds, featuring the longest tree top walk in Ireland and a climbing tower with a 90m slide. van Dijk Architects worked with our client, Coillte, to design the orientation space, café, shop, exhibition space and a pavilion which tells the story of Coillte’s work in innovative forestry and climate action.
The building is nestled between existing Georgian-era outhouses and barn on a sloping site. We used his condition to create a route for patrons that conceals the key view of the walled garden from outside the building. You pass through the orientation space and into the café at first floor level, revealing a double height volume with expansive views that invites you down to enter the walled garden, pavilion and forest beyond.
The building is the first local glulam structure made using this grade of Irish timber. The beams and columns bring a sense of rhythm and warmth to the space, with polished concrete floors and glazing that reflects the surrounding forest and historic buildings. This project breathes new life into a beautiful Irish landscape and we are so pleased to have been a part of it.
Mill House, Mill Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 XTF7
Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH
VDI KSA, Unit J Auto Moto Business Park King Faisal Road, Ar Rakah Al Khobar
VDI Poland Sp. z o.o. No. 41A/6 Swieradowska Street, 50-559 Wroclaw
VDI Project Management Ltd. HDS Business Centre 3204 (Cluster M) Jumeirah Lakes Towers Duba
Mill House, Mill Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 XTF7
Scottish Provident Building, 7 Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH
VDI KSA, Unit J Auto Moto Business Park King Faisal Road, Ar Rakah Al Khobar
VDI Poland Sp. z o.o. No. 41A/6 Swieradowska Street, 50-559 Wroclaw
VDI Project Management Ltd. HDS Business Centre 3204 (Cluster M) Jumeirah Lakes Towers Duba