Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council
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3.5 Architectural Features<br />
In conjunction with the Urban Design Guidelines set out in the previous section,<br />
the following section identifies the key architectural features within the existing<br />
built environment in the Town Centre, which need to be considered in any future<br />
development proposals.<br />
The following themes are considered:<br />
● Building Proportion<br />
● Roofs and Chimneys<br />
● Respecting the Traditional Shopfront<br />
● Security Shutters<br />
● Shop Signage<br />
● Hanging and Projecting Elements<br />
● Canopies<br />
● Outdoor Seating Areas<br />
BUILDING PROPORTION<br />
Many older properties along Main Street have a vertical emphasis to their<br />
character, having narrow frontages mostly of two storeys. Vertical windows<br />
enhance the vertical emphasis of the building elevation. However in recent times<br />
typical modern insertions have introduced a horizontal element that can be<br />
visually jarring to the prevailing vertical rhythm. This can be addressed in a<br />
number of ways, for example subdivision of the glass with mullions or the<br />
subdivision of the shopfront with pilasters or vertical columns.<br />
A solid to void ratio describes how blank or windowed a building looks. It is<br />
interesting to note that the more successful buildings that fit well in the Main<br />
Street have a high degree of visual solidity. To respect this tradition in <strong>Swords</strong><br />
Town Centre it is imperitive that all new buildings maintain a high solid to void ratio.<br />
A poor ratio of solid to void. The shopfront appears too horizontal.<br />
A good ratio of solid to void.<br />
The shopfronts appear vertical.<br />
A good ratio of solid to void.<br />
ROOFS AND CHIMNEYS<br />
S W O R D S M A S T E R P L A N<br />
The roofscape of <strong>Swords</strong> is the first indication we have of the character and scale from<br />
a distance. On entering the town one becomes aware of the shape and elements<br />
of the building roofs which contribute to our general impressions of the town.<br />
Most of the buildings along the western edge of the Main Street and the eastern<br />
edge of North Street have pitched roofs that are uncomplicated and low. Subtle<br />
changes of pitch between adjoining dwellings, which is characteristic of these<br />
streets (a matter of a few degrees) can help enliven a roofscape. Also, a<br />
distinctive feature is the use of hipped roofs at the end of a terrace, or on isolated<br />
properties. Flat roofs and other roof profiles are evident on more recent insertions<br />
to the eastern edge of the Main Street and the western edge of North Street.<br />
Traditionally, chimneys are of stone, render or brick with a corbel detail at the top<br />
and finished with a terracotta pot. It is important that any new infill development<br />
retain the existing chimney proportions and match the traditional details.<br />
The depth and projection of the fascia is a key design issue. The eaves lines along<br />
the Main Street with simple and shallow timber fascias are visually more<br />
successful than the standard modern box eave with deep projecting fascia, flat<br />
soffit and projecting barge board that is evident to the eastern edge of the Street.<br />
Characteristic roofs and chimneys of <strong>Swords</strong><br />
A distinctive feature is the use of hipped roofs at the end of a terrace, or on isolated properties.<br />
3 3<br />
Subtle changes of pitch between adjoining dwellings (a matter of a few degrees) can help enliven a roofscape.<br />
Avoid the span of roofs over long distances.<br />
Flat roofs are inconsistent to the prevailing pitched roofscape<br />
and should generally be avoided on the Main Street.<br />
Examples of a shallow eaves line. Example of a modern box eave.