The Haven: Residential Scheme at Passage West | Cork, Ireland

‘The Haven’ situates a mix of residential housing and duplex apartment dwellings across 4 primary spaces in line with the site’s topography. Primary residential blocks engage the centre of the site, rejuvenating both it and its topography as a form of ‘tearmann’ [ (n) : sanctuary, haven; as Gaeilge ]. Following this initial site placement and centralised hierarchy, an east-west ecological corridor is proposed along the northern and southern edges of the site. The northern edge of this ecological corridor link allows integration of a tunnelled thoroughfare just below the road — allowing burrowing species and other fauna to preserve east-west access; further reducing any potential risks to species within the development itself. Facilitated by ecological sensibilities, the design seeks to improve the surrounding ecology through a series of interconnected ‘soft’ threshold conditions and landscaping, thereby enhancing both existing (and future) natural habitats and biodiversity.