Swords Masterplan - Fingal County Council

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