A Material Bank for Reuse

Every town faces the urgent task of building in ways that respect both climate limits and cultural memory. With 48% of all waste in Ireland produced by the construction industry, the need to reduce material use and design for longevity has never been more pressing (Environmental Protection Agency, Circular Economy and Waste Statistics Highlights Report 2021). As materials become scarcer and environmental pressures intensify, architecture must shift toward models that reduce waste, extend building life and treat heritage as a finite resource. The choices made today will shape how communities adapt, reuse and regenerate their built environments for decades to come. 

In Carrick-on-Shannon, one of the last town-centre sites offered a rare chance to strengthen the urban fabric while protecting a landmark Victorian redbrick bank. The area sits within an Architectural Conservation Area and a busy waterfront quarter of parks, housing, civic buildings and active tourism. The site is tight, historically sensitive and highly visible. The challenge lay in accommodating a new hotel programme, supporting a thriving local restaurant and respecting protected stone boundaries, all within the constraints of an infill plot. 

Design for Disassembly

The design team developed a strategy that connected adaptive reuse with climate-aligned construction. A glazed atrium forms a minimal and reversible link between the protected structure and a contemporary extension. A Design for Disassembly (DfD) approach shaped the new build, using standardised components and modular frames to reduce waste and support future reuse. This required the team to consider the different layers of the building, from built-in furniture to primary structure, and how these elements could be assembled and later taken apart without losing material value. The design moves from adhesive to mechanical fixings and from in-situ construction to modular plug-and-play systems that can be updated over time. 

By enabling components to be disassembled and reused while retaining their integrity, the project reframes the historic bank not only as a place of civic memory but also as a future material bank, where the resources invested today can be withdrawn, reused and revalued tomorrow, supporting a circular practice within a sensitive heritage context. The result is a hotel concept that brings an important town-centre building back into active use while demonstrating how circular thinking can inform conservation-led development. 

Locating the project within its historic and urban context title

The site sits on Saint George’s Terrace and Quay Road, surrounded by mixed uses and riverfront amenities. It is part of a designated Architectural Conservation Area and the original redbrick bank is a protected structure. The project had to navigate heritage regulations, align with local planning priorities for compact growth and respond sensitively to the surrounding townscape. The existing building retains strong civic identity and the proposal aims to reinforce its presence while supporting walkability and local economic activity. 

Extending the protected structure through adaptive reuse

The design removes only non-original additions and introduces reversible interventions to safeguard historic fabric. Traditional methods, including lime render and brick repairs, ensure compatibility with the Victorian structure. The hotel rooms within the existing building retain its heritage qualities, offering a warm, character-rich setting that contrasts with the calm, contemporary atmosphere of the new extension. 

Organising the programme across a constrained site

The project accommodates twelve hotel rooms, a thermal suite, restaurant extension, terrace, lobby and back-of-house spaces. Public and social areas occupy lower levels, with private rooms above. Circulation is arranged along the glazed atrium link, which preserves views to the courtyard and towards the People’s Park and marina. The design also improves access from Quay Road and introduces a set-down area and bike parking to support active travel. 

Developing a contemporary architectural response

The new wing is conceived as a deliberate counterpoint to the Victorian building. A demountable façade system uses standardised panels that can be removed, reused or adapted. The internal structure is designed around flexibility, allowing future reconfiguration with minimal waste. Analytical diagrams guided the design from early stages, establishing alignments, height relationships and visual connections between old and new. 

  ‘Projects like the Red Bank Hotel exemplify our commitment to Design for Disassembly in practice, extending beyond theoretical concepts. This approach will help to minimise our negative impact on the planet while retaining the value of the materials we build with.’ — Kevin Loftus, Architect   

Strengthening local identity and town-centre vitality

By reactivating a protected structure and adding high-quality visitor accommodation, the project supports Carrick-on-Shannon’s tourism economy and enhances the experience of the town core. It contributes to footfall, employment and walkability, supporting a vibrant waterfront and strengthening the town’s destination identity. The new architecture is positioned as a respectful yet contemporary addition to the historic streetscape. 

Embedding sustainability and circularity

Environmental strategies include PV solar panels, a sedum green roof, passive shading, a high-performance thermal envelope and efficient water-heating systems. The DfD strategy promotes circular construction, reducing embodied carbon and prolonging the life of building components. This approach demonstrates how climate-responsive design can be integrated within a protected urban context, reinforcing the project’s role as a template for reducing carbon footprint in construction through DfD and adaptive reuse initiatives. 

Addressing technical and conservation challenges

Tight geometries, privacy considerations and complex stone boundaries required careful coordination. Service integration within the historic fabric was minimised to protect the existing building. The glazed link allowed the new construction to remain structurally independent, reducing impact on the protected structure. The modular approach further supported efficiency in a confined setting. 

Looking ahead to long-term value

  ‘Once the project is complete it will generate new employment and attract more people to the town and county, exciting times ahead.’ — Jason Horkan, Client    

Looking beyond Carrick-on-Shannon, the Red Bank Hotel project offers a pathway for how Irish towns can evolve while honouring their architectural heritage. By combining adaptive reuse with circular construction, it demonstrates an approach that can be replicated across similar sites facing pressure to grow within climate limits. As policies increasingly support compact development and material efficiency, the Red Bank Hotel provides a practical model for regenerative architecture, with a reduced carbon footprint, in historic settings. Its strategies for flexibility, disassembly and conservation create a framework that can adapt to future needs, ensuring the building remains valuable and resilient for many years to come.