Sir, – Hugh Linehan is in no doubt that the demolition of Hawkins House is a good thing ("Knock this block", April 9th). He also believes that its "ugly neighbours" should suffer a similar fate.
This might at first glance seem like a sensible viewpoint. But there are other considerations beyond beauty and form that today must be taken into account. For instance, do we demolish Hawkins House and its neighbours and ignore our EU and global responsibilities in terms of global warming? Ireland has an obligation to reduce its carbon emissions by 2020, with financial penalties if we miss those targets.
These are robust steel and concrete buildings. Demolition and reconstruction represent double wastage of that most carbon-intense of construction materials, steel and concrete. That is not to mention the numerous heavy vehicular miles to and from appropriate waste facilities and delivery miles of new replacement materials. A deep energy retrofit with a new passive solar facade could ensure the core of these building remained in place, yet would provide an opportunity to meet best international green building retrofit practice, while also somewhat improving the aesthetics of the area. This solution has the potential to save millions of euro, reduce energy bills and wastage and put Ireland on a better course to meet its 2020 targets.
If the drivers for change are beauty and form, then yes, these buildings probably should be replaced. However, if we are to account for our climate-change responsibilities, the luxury of demolition should no longer exist. – Yours, etc,
PAUL O’REILLY,
Chartered Engineer,
Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Sir, – Now cranes are back on the skyline again, Hugh Linehan’s article is timely. What is to stop a re-run of the “Nightmare on Hawkins Street”? Around the corner on George’s Quay, the Ulster Bank’s block of ugliness went unchallenged.
Books, films, music, paintings, plays and sculpture are publicly criticised or praised. Why not buildings? A few honest reviews might shake things up. – Yours, etc,
ADRIAN KENNY,
Portobello,
Dublin 8.