Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

9.6 Public Art
Public art needs to be considered as an integral element of the design of buildings
and public spaces. It can enhance buildings and spaces, creating visual interest
and encouraging commercial and social activity. Public art can be used as a means
of highlighting the significance of a building, public space or gateway to the Town
Centre. It can also give greater character and identity, creating a ‘sense of place’.
The new activity nodes of the Civic, Cultural and Metro Quarters present ideal
locations for public art.
1. There will be strong co-ordination between lighting, signage and public art
within the Town Centre to avoid clutter and to present a consistent and
distinctive identity.
2. A wide range of techniques should be employed including free-standing
artworks, artist designed landscapes, digital technologies, artist’s lightworks
and signage and temporary projects which may be especially appropriate in
the Metro Quarter.
3. The approach to public art should stimulate debate, encourage participation,
be informative, locally relevant and responsive to community aspirations.
9.7 Conclusion and Implementation
Quality of the public realm is a priority of the Masterplan. A user-friendly public
realm is well connected and attractive, making walking and cycling easy,
pleasant and convenient, and improving the area’s attractiveness as a place to
live, work and visit.
A public realm strategy for Swords Town Centre shall be completed within 12-24
months of the preparation of the Masterplan.
Development proposals will be required to demonstrate a positive contribution to
achieving well designed public spaces, creating active ground floor uses,
contributing to passive surveillance of public areas, improving the micro-climate
in and around new buildings and incorporating high quality surface treatments,
street lighting, furniture and public art.
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