This evening I was invited in my capacity as High Sheriff and as a guest of Paul Millar, one of the Partners of the practice of Hamilton Architects, to the official opening of Hamilton House, Joy Street, Belfast. Paul is also Chairman of the Belfast Buildings Preservation Trust and in that capacity has met me frequently over the last 10 years. The Belfast based architectural practice has designed new purpose built offices on Joy Street which celebrate the cultural history of the area.
Joy Street once provided lodgings to many well known stars of the theatrical and entertainment world – including Charlie Chaplin. Reflecting the local significance of this world famous star, Hamilton Architects have installed a small bronze statue of Charlie Chaplin as a quasi gargoyle at roof level on the front elevation of the Georgian inspired building which was officially opened tonight by the Secretary of State Owen Paterson, MP.
Hamilton Architects, a vibrant and progressive architectural practice best known most recently for its work on Riddel Hall for Queens University Belfast, has invested heavily in the new development which shares a block with two significant listed buildings in the Linen Conservation Area.
Paul Millar said at the event, “As architects and conservation architects we wanted to make a positive contribution to our built environment whilst also celebrating and reflecting the history of the immediate area, great architects and local motorsport – a personal passion of mine.”
Local sculptor Claire Sampson was commissioned to hand-sculpt eight stone panels which have been incorporated in the building’s façade. The four figureheads embellishing the front facade reflect four iconic architects – Scarpa, Mackintosh, Wright and Aalto. To the rear, the ‘back of house’ sculptures represent bygone heroes of motorsport Nuvolari, McCandless, Ferguson and Dunlop.
The building has been aptly named Hamilton House after James Hamilton, The First Duke of Abercorn who once had a town residence at Hamilton Street, immediately adjacent to Joy Street.
The design of the four storey building, crafted from red brick and stone with a feature barrel roof in copper, is inspired by the rhythm and elegance of the Georgian terraces which characterise the area.
Hamilton House will display work by local artist Ailsa Friel. “It is our intention to engage with other up and coming artists and give them the opportunity to use our offices to exhibit their work free of charge,” commented Paul Millar.
• Joy Street, situated on the site of Joy’s Paper Mill, was fully developed by the mid 19th Century where dwellers included many merchants and prominent figures within the City’s printing industry. Some of the finest examples of Georgian houses have been restored, providing an insight to the grandeur of the location.
• The building occupies a highly prominent and convenient location in close proximity to the Law Courts, the traditional prime retail areas of Donegall Place, and Victoria Square. This area to the South of the City Hall, regarded as the prime business district, includes occupiers such as DoE, BT, Bank of Ireland and Belfast City Council.
• Hamilton Architects offers a comprehensive range of architectural and project management services throughout Ireland and the UK from offices in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. The practice won the UTV Business Eye Architect of the Year award in 2009 and was responsible for the highly successful refurbishment of the Ulster Museum.
To be continued