IN PICTURES: 300 years of Irish architecture unveiled at NW Transport Hub

Derry City and Strabane District Council has partnered with the Irish Architectural Archive to bring the national Pivot Points exhibition to the North West Transport Hub.

The exhibition, which marks the Irish Architectural Archive’s 50th anniversary, was formally opened this week by Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais and representatives of Council’s Heritage Stakeholder Forum.

Tracing the development of Ireland’s built environment from the 1690s to the 2000s, Pivot Points explores the significant role architects from across the island have played in shaping public spaces and infrastructure.

It examines the themes in architecture and planning that have helped shape Ireland’s built environment over more than 300 years.

“Council is delighted to partner with the Irish Architectural Archive to host the Pivot Points exhibition at the North West Transport Hub,” said Mayor Uí Niallais.

“This is a fascinating opportunity to explore the architectural and planning decisions that have shaped our towns and cities over the last three centuries.

“Our Regeneration Team identified the Transport Hub in the historic Waterside Train Station building as an ideal heritage space to showcase the exhibition in, reflecting Council’s commitment to increasing heritage awareness and celebrating the historic buildings and places that contribute to our identity.”

As part of the city’s Halloween celebrations, from October 29th to 31st, visitors to the station will also have the opportunity to hear the story of Frances Johnson, the 19th-century architect behind the design of the city’s asylum on Asylum Road.

Colum O’Ríordáin of the Irish Architectural Archive added: “In celebrating its fiftieth anniversary, the Irish Architectural Archive wanted to engage with contemporary issues in architecture, planning and urbanism. This ambition coalesced into Pivot Points, an exhibition, publication, and travelling exhibition which traces aspects of the development of Ireland’s built environment from the 1690s to the 2000s.

“In highlighting these, it hopefully provides some explanation as to how and why things are the way they are, and suggests new stories which can be explored on journeys into the IAA’s collections.”

The exhibition supports Council’s ongoing work to raise awareness of the City and District’s rich heritage and encourage greater appreciation of the historic buildings and architectural influences that have shaped the places in which people live and work.

The Pivot Points exhibition at the North West Transport Hub from 28th October to 22nd November, for further information www.derrystrabane.com/pivotpoints.