Services » Architects

Tory Top Library is located in Ballyphehane, a well established suburb of Cork, on the edge of Tory Top Park (with grotto, football pitch, mature lime/poplar trees) and on a crest of the hill traversed by Friar’s Walk.

The need for the development of a new library at Tory Top Road was identified as a priority in the Cork City Library Strategic Plan 1996-2001. The old library operated on part of the same site from 1974 until 2004, when it was demolished.

The new library, designed by Cork City Architects, was completed at an overall cost of €2.3m. It provides approx. 750m² floor area, which is roughly twice that of the previous library and has its own enclosed ‘courtyard’ garden. The building has a copper roof and is a generously proportioned single storey structure, designed to be fully accessible and user-friendly. The building’s design incorporates a number of effective sustainable features, such as a heating system provided from a ground source heat pump, plenty of daylight due to well located rooflights and naturally ventilated spaces, which spill out onto a secure child-friendly external green area of almost 400m².

Cork City Libraries opened this attractive and very popular local library in Tory Top Road in September 2005. It is located opposite a large park, close to the Ballyphehane Community Centre. The new library includes a community room to accommodate a wide variety of activities organized by both the library itself and by other groups/organizations.

Design & Construction Team

Architects:

City Architects, Cork City Council

M&E Engineers:

Arup Consulting Engineers

St Engineers:

Horgan Lynch

Quantity Surveyor:

Richard Leonard & Associates

Building Contractor:

O’Shea Builders Cork