This Portfolio contains two projects that I have done during my 4th year in University College Dublin. It also includes hand sketches related to other material.

1. Landscape Architecture - Portfolio
Tallaght
Pelletstown
Dublin City Centre, 2013
UCD
Dublin City, 800AD
University College Dublin - 2008/2013
Bryan Parsons

2. Contents
Project 2:
Project 1: Tallaght Town Centre Thesis - “Getting the Points Across”
Pelletstown - “Forestry, Not Forest”
Other: Sketches from Fieldtrips

3. Tallaght Town Centre - “Getting the Points Across”
January 2013 - May 2013

4. What can be done for Tallaght?
Tallaght today is a large and rapidly expanding
urban area. It has a large multicultural populal-
tion, particularly to the west of the town. It has
good access to social amenities and adequate
transport links to the Town Centre. It is a rea-
sonable destination to outsiders, but other
locations such as Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown
and Dundrum Shopping Centre, are more rec-
ognised by visitors, in contrast to the Square,
located in Tallaght.
However, Tallaght is still a well developed
area, with good amenities, but there still re-
mains problems in certain locations. According
to the Local Area Plan, 2006, by South Dublin
County Council, the “Old Village still felt re-
moved and distant from the Core Area” as well
as the presence of “numerous barriers” when
it came to “accessing the Town Centre on
foot,for example, Large blocks of development,
characteristic of Tallaght, could not be travelled
through, “forcing people to walk considerable
distances to get to places”.
According to the LAP, based on these
findings, there is an “over dependance on the
use of cars”, as people do not wish to walk.
Large zones of the Town Centre are also “dead
zones, particularly at night, making them feel
uninviting and unsafe”. There is also and ab-
sence of high quality parks and squares, de-
spite the large amount of open land around the
Town Centre, most of which is taken up by car
parking. (See Image Board)
Therefore what can be done for Tallaght?
Based on the findings and analysis that I con-
ducted for my thesis, I believe an adequate
provision of more social space, ehancement
of exisiting pedestrian links and provision of
“better crossing points” or “thresholds” would
benefit Tallaght, thus allowing for an increased
sense of identity for the area, as well as mak-
ing it more user friendly and safe.
At present the Square Shopping Centre,
is the main destination within the Town Centre,
as it is the largest block within the area and
holds all they key elements that constitute a
Town Centre within its structure. Therfore giv-
ing Tallaght a more identifiable urban outdoor
space would mean that there is another loca-
tion in Tallaght, that is not just “The Square”.
The Square Shopping Centre, under construction in 1990, the main destination for
locals and visitors within Tallaght.
Image - Courtesy of Tallaght Photo Libraries
Image Board (Own Images)
Top Left - Lucena Clinic, 1994. A
new development for Tallaght back
then with lots of open space sitting
around it for car parking and so on.
Bottom Left - Green muddy patches
in Town Centre, beside Square, run-
ning down the area making it bleak
and unattractive.
Top Right - Car parking in the
Square. It takes up vast amounts of
space, more civic space and urban
parks would be better for Tallaght.
Bottom Right - Attractive civic space
around Tallaght library and South
Dublin County Council offices.
Introduction to Tallaght
This is an Analytical Document that I created for the first stage of my thesis
1

5. The aim of my thesis is to prove that designing landscape around “thresh-
olds” which act as crossing points , will improve the identity of Tallaght, giving
the pedestrian population a place to go, relax and cross through. There are
numerous border vacuums, dead end roads and busy thoroughfares in Tal-
laght. By identifying areas of possible usage, areas which have a lot of foot-
fall nearby and areas which have main access points into the Town Centre,
then some sort of intervention could be created to imporve the urban quality
of Tallaght, adding to the good development already present within the area
itself.
Image taken from
Emily Talens book,
Design for Diversity.
This highlights one
aspect of my concept
surrounding develop-
ment around “crossing
points”. It shows how
connectivity can be
improved within the
urban realm, by devel-
oping smaller parcels
of space, providing for
civic space and other
attractive areas.
Idea Stage
Overall the theme is promoting the use of existing space around areas where
there is some form of “crossing point” in order to stitch back the fragmented
urban layout of Tallaght and allow for greater pedestrian use in previoulsy lost
spaces. This theme could be titled as “a new crossing point”, and falls under
other themes such as pedestrain usage, conncectivity and urban layout.
Sketches
The top sketch is an
artistic impression
of what some of the
vacant space could be
used for. The space
is located along a
key access point,
leading into Tallaght
Town Centre. There
is potential to open
it up into more civic
space.There are other
options of course, that
could be explored.
The bottom sketch
is another artistic
impression of how
existing space along
a crossing point could
be transformed into
a pedestrain friendly
location. This sketch
also shows a large
amount of planting to
the right, growing up
through a grid, for a
unique effect. Design
is a way of enhancing
an areas image and
making it more memo-
rable.
2
Introduction to Tallaght

6. 3
Introduction to Tallaght
What Sort of Spaces Could be Created?
Before I look at the varied spaces within Tallaght that
could be developed and enhanced, I will just outline
first some ideas of what these spaces could be used
for and how they might work in relation to their re-
spective localities.
Civic Space - Beside the Square or near the hospital.
As outlined by the LAP, more open, civic and parkland
space in the Town Centre is desirable.
New access routes through the vacant site beside the
hospital for pedestrains is possible as outlined by the
LAP. This would open up a new area, that could be
transformed into a parkland area for the public and
hopsital patients. It could also become an allotment
area for growing fruits and vegetables, or an urban
foresty.
Better links to the village could be achieved, more
planting could be used to tackle this issue. Trees
could create visual and permeable boundaries to
space, especially along the Belgard Road. Any fenc-
ing nearby or ugly railings could be replaced by hardy
street trees.
Exhibition, parking and recreation space could be
provided for to in Tallaght, however a more pedestrian
friendly, which respects the environment is desirable.
New and recycled materials could be used in the new
scheme for Tallaght.
The top left image shows the vacant site beside the Square. Top right image is vacant space beside hospital. It cuts off one
It could become a temporary civic space or parkland, before area from the other and is unsightly, littered with junk and
development encroaches upon it. rubbish. It could become an allotment area or small park for
the hospital patients and public.
The bottom left image is the same space and the top right, just at Quality links into the Town Centre are in place, but more could
a different angle, facing the wall that borders the hospital. be done to improve the pedestrain realm, especially along the
along the Belgard Road.
(Images are my own)

7. The spaces that could be developed
are in purple. They are in the form of
vacant lots, border vacuums and green
patches. It may not be possible to
develop them all, but it is worth look-
ing at whats available on site. I have
numbered 5 main sites of interest.
Site Analysis - Refer to Site Detail
1
2
3
4
5
BelgardRoad
BelgardRoad
4
Introduction to Tallaght
Identifying possible areas within Tallaght for a landscape intervention

8. 5
Introduction to Tallaght
Site Detail - Refer to Plan, (Areas 1-5)
AREA 1
AREA 2
Area 1.
This area is a vacant site located
beside Tallaght Hospital. It is an area
of prime opportunity for future devel-
opement, but for now it could be trans-
formed into a park, allotment space
or access route for pedestrians.It also
could become a temporary urban for-
estry, similar to the project I conducted
during the last semester.
Area 2.
This area is located as mentioned
beside the Square. It is a prime site,
where traffic and heavy footfall is pre-
sent. It could become a unique urban
park, allotment space, civic square or
exhibition space. There is lots of po-
tential to develop it, making it a unique
area to visitors arriving via the Belgard
Road.
Area 3.
Located at the other side of the bridge
in this picture, a potential location
along the Tallaght Bypass. It could be
enhanced and linked to Sean Walshe
park, seen here in the photo. The
bridge could be changed to a green
link, however this may be a more chal-
lenging site due to height restrictions
for traffic and also due to position.
Area 4/5.
Both areas are located beside the
Square. The one above is area 4. Area
5 is more closed off and inhabited by
trees. There the only open spaces left
within the epicentre of action within the
Town Centre. There could be potential
for some sort of design to make these
spaces more attractive and more inte-
grated into the urban fabric.
Pedestrain Links
Pedestrain Links
Historic Quarter
Car Parking
Green Space
Area 2
Area 1
Cul De Sac
Cul De Sac
Industrial Land
Tallaght Hospital Grounds
Car Parking
BelgardRoad
The Square Shopping Centre
ITT
Zooming into key areas

9. What People will visit the Site?
Tallaght is a very multicultural area. Its varying neigh-
borhoods have a good mix of Irish nationals and for-
eign nationals. A large percenatge of foreign nationals
live to the west of Tallaght, in the council owned areas
such as Jobstown and Killinarden. There is good
transport links to the Town Centre from these areas, in
contrast to the lack of them back in the 70’s/80’s.
Overall due to Tallaghts large population, diver-
sity of nationalities and amenities, it has become an
area that has almost acquired city status itself. How-
ever it is a car dominated and oppresive place, with
an atmosphere of bleakness in some parts. But it has
quality amenity and shopping areas, and excellent
public parks.
I think some sort of intervention around the Town
Centre would be attrcative for the local population.
It also is a need as outlined by South Dublin County
Council in their LAP and Devlopement Plan, 2010.
It is coming up with a strategy for the development
of these spaces that is the challenge. Designing at-
tractive spaces that are funtional and attractive to
everyone is key. They need to be user friendly, easily
accessible for people will disabilities and durable, with
low maintenace. They also need to serve some sort
of purpose for the area. Throwing in attractive paving
and seating whilst good, is not enough.
These spaces need to be places where people
will want to go, spaces where they will congregate
and spaces that will be memorable to them. They are
spaces for all and should act as a “crossiing point”
into a new journey for Tallaght’s future development
How to go about Creating New Spaces for Tallaght?
To start any sort of design stage, I will start by analysing the chosen sites in detail, if it is proven that they
are suitable. Then I will take account of ground conditons, soil, drainage and access. I will aim to get an idea
of how many people use the area on a daily basis, by conducting a site visit. After the analysis and decision
stage, the design process will then start. The design will have to be based on my research for thesis prepara-
tion and on some aspect that refers to Tallaght itself, taking account of the areas history, location, users, to-
pography and ground conditions. During this stage I will try to create concept sketches, draft plans and so on.
I want to design a space or spaces that not only are self contained but areas which connect to their surround-
ing context, thus knitting together the urban fabric of Tallaght Town Centre. The main areas that I need to take
account of are “Theme, Programme and Site”. I also need to consider whether these sites are temporary or
fixed, these factors will influence further the nature of these designed spaces and their function in the built
environment.
The 4 images to the left are
new spaces around buildings
that have recently been built in
the past 5 years. They simply
illustrate the character of the
landscape design in the Town
Centre. I think some sort of
new design intervention that
fulfils the same functions as
these spaces but makes more
of an impact on the user would
be desirable. For a start, draw-
ing inspiration from Tallaght’s
history and past is a way in
which some sort of design
could be formed,as it has a
design foundation based on
Tallaght itself, which is a much
more worthwhile venture, in
contrast to the bread and but-
ter design seen here.
6
Introduction to Tallaght
Conclusion

10. Tallaght 1991 - 1997
Tallaght Town Centre - Context and Growth in the City
7
Tallaght 1988 - 1991 Tallaght 1997 - 2013
Dublin City
Tallaght Town Centre
Tallaght 1973 (West) Tallaght 2004 (North)

11. Tallaght Town Centre - Existing Area Analysis
Industrial Areas
Tallaght IT
Tallaght Hospital
Gym
Mixed Use Buildings
Historical Buildings
Residential Buildings
Apartment Blocks and Offices
Tallaght Stadium
Hotels and Restaraunts
Social Welfare Office
Garda Station
Commercial Premises
Garages and Petrol Stations
Council Headquarters
The Square
Leisure Plex
Schools
Banks
Astro Pitches
Maldron Hotel
Boundaries and Barriers Car Parks
Areas of Vehicle/Pedestrian Conflict Areas for Design InterventionBuilding Uses in Tallaght
8
Diagrams that informed the design intervention
Areas of High Activity (DAY) Areas of High Activity (NIGHT) Heavily Used Routes Frequently Used Routes Infrequently Used Routes

12. The Pedestrian Experience - Existing Context
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
A
B
D
C
E
F
G
HBelgard Main Road
Tallaght Main Crossing
Tallaght Village
St.Mary’s Priory
Vacant Site
Outside The Square Shopping Centre (EAST)
Outside The Square Shopping Centre (WEST)
The Square Car Parking (WEST)
Tallaght Town Centre - Panorama’s of Key Areas
9
Photos informing the viewer about the areas existing condition

13. Tallaght Town Centre - Concept Development
10 Design Concept
Existing Site Conditions - Pedestrian Unfriendly
Proposed Idea - “Getting the Points Across”
Pedestrian Routes Tree Planting
Making the Connections

14. Tallaght Town Centre - “The Vision for the Area”
11

15. Tallaght Town Centre - Masterplan
12
N
Proposed Public Space Tram Station Enhanced Pedestrian
Link
Public Space with
bus stop
Existing Shopping Street Tallaght Village Historical Grounds
Shopping CentreNew Urban Development

16. Section Elevations - Tallaght Town Centre
Bryan Parsons, 4th year, 08454892
Section AA (North)
Section BB (North)
Section CC (North)
AA
CC
BB
N
Tallaght Town Centre - Sections
13

17. Tallaght Town Centre - Sketch Walkthrough
14
B
A C
D
E
N
C D E
ROUTE (A)
ROUTE (B)

18. Existing/Proposed Areas
Axo - Not to Scale
N
15
Existing/Proposed

19. Tallaght Town Centre - Detailed Area One
16 Detail Area
Tree PitFilter Strip (SUDS)
20mm sand setting bed
concrete pavers,
200x200x60
150mm concrete with
entrained air
100 mm granular “A” fill
Drain Pipe
Clear stone, 20mm size
100mm preforated drain pipe
Irrigation pvc pipe, 25mm
Tree Pit Planting Medium
15m rebars
Pavement
Flow from Impermeable
surface
Reverse Bullnose Kerb
TopsoilGrass filterstrip
Paving
Exposed Aggregate Infill Smooth Concrete Surface
Red Aggregate
Details 1:50 Axo
Exis
Plan 1:500
Filter Strip (SUDS) Tree Pit Paving
N
Existing Site

20. 17
Model Photos.
Tallaght Town Centre - Detailed Area Two, Model 1:500

21. Pelletstown - “Forestry, Not Forest”
September 2012 - December 2012

22. Introduction to Pelletstown - Photos
1
N
Pelletstown is a new residential area in North Dublin that
was planned as a high density housing scheme. However
much of the development remains incomplete due to the
economic downturn, thus creating a scheme that is unfin-
ished. The grey on the plan below shows the incomplete
areas . In this project we looked into how these remaining
areas could be used, particularly through urban forestry.

23. Pelletstown - “Examining Forestry Material”
2
Concept Development - Abstract Model, manipulating forestry material

24. Pelletstown - “Examining Forestry Material”
3
Concept Development - Composite Image/Rough Work

25. Pelletstown - Interpreting the Possibilities
4

26. Pelletstown - Existing Site Conditions
5 Built Footprint
Boundaries - River/Connecting Road
Surrounding Land
Open Land on Site
Existing Amenity Space
Canal/Tolka River
Artificial Lakes/SUDS
Inaccessible Space on Site
Developed Land Functioning Roads
Closed Roads
Analytical Diagrams outlining the existing conditions on the Pelletstown Site. From this research it
is clear that there is a large proportion of unused land in comparison to the amenity land. Develop-
ment on site is also somewhat constricted to the South, with the presence of the canal and train
line. Development beyond the boundary to the North is admirable, extending into the Tolka Valley
Area, with the Tolka River.

27. Tree T
(Light
(Dark
thorn,
(Dark
Poplar
(Pink)
Birch,
Plantin
(Light
(Light
plante
Tree D
Dark G
Mediu
Light G
Tree Typology
Pelletstown - Creating an “Urban Forestry Scheme”
6
Birch & Ash Woodland Willow, Hazel, Birch & HawthornExisting Birch Trees
Willow, Ash, Alder, Hazel & Birch
Birch & Alder Plantation
Existing Birch Trees along SUDS
Evergreen Woodland
Year 1 - 5 Year 5 - 10
Year 10 - 15 Year 15 - 21
Leave to Colonise &
plant more trees
Let Colonise,
Plant new trees &
Clear spaces
Plant new trees &
improve the exist-
ing open space
Compost & store
area
Compost & store
area
Plant & cut trees +
Build Workshop
Cut & plant trees. Open
space to allow for new
functions & car access
Cut & plant trees. Cre-
ate allotment spaces for
the residents
Compost & store
area
Cut & plant trees. New areas
for outdoor pursuits, educa-
tion in woodwork
Cut & plant trees. Provide allot-
ments, along with open space
for exhibitions & car boot sales
Cut & plant trees. Retain allotment
areas. More playspace could be
provided here to be retained once
the scheme is finished
Compost & store
area to be removed
Trees to be gradually removed
for future development. Site to
be decomissioned
Remove trees over time & re-
tain the allotment/recreational
space
Relocated open spaces here
across site, remove any
trees
1 - 5 YEARS
5 - 10 YEARS
10 - 15 YEARS
15 - 21 YEARS
“The Changing Nature of Pelletstown”

28. Pelletstown - Masterplan
7
Birch Trees
SUDSRecreational Land AllotmentsWork ShedsParking Pedestrian Pathways
Birch , Hazel & Ash WoodlandWild Grassland Birch for coppicing Willows for growing Amenity Woodland Birch & Ash plantation
Amenity Woodland
Canal
Tolka River
Urban forestry is the introduction of forestry material into an urban setting, creating new spaces
that grow and develop in their own way over time. The material grown on site can be manipulated
and used by the residents in a variety of ways. More trees can be removed, planted, left to grow
or coppiced over time, meaning that different segments of land will be changing. This project will
allow for a landscape of varying uses for both leisure and work. It will eventually be phased out by
year 21, when new development takes over (see page 10 ).
N

29. SECTION AA
SECTION BB
SECTION AA
SECTION BB
0 - 5 YEARS
7 YEARS LATER
WILD GRASSLAND WITH OPEN SPACES COMMERCIAL WOODLAND
EXISTING ROADWAY
EXISTING ROADWAY
GRASSLAND WITH MIXED WOODLAND MAINTENANCE SHEDEXISTING ROADWAY
SUDS SYSTEM
SUDS SYSTEM MIXED WOODLAND NEW HOUSING
MIXED WOODLAND
COMMERCIAL WOODLAND
WILD SHRUBLAND
MIXED WOODLANDWILD SHRUBLAND EXISTING ROADWAY EXISTING ROADWAY
EXISTING ROADWAY
Pelletstown,
Masterplan
Stage 6
The sections work in con
tion with the plan. The to
two and bottom two are
same sections, only at d
ent time periods. The sh
how the spaces will cha
over time. Some spaces
be cut back, other let gr
wild, some new building
also be introduced as se
in the bottom two sectio
The sections also attem
convey how these new s
es will look with their ow
unique atmospheres.
Pelletstown - Sections
8
Section aa
Section bb
Section aa
Section bb
bb
aa
N

30. Pelletstown - Perspectives
9
Visuals - “The Atmosphere in Pelletstown”
In the Forest
“ a pathway “ through the landscape
Locations

31. The top highlights how the temporary
spaces will change over time. The light
green is open space, medium green is
light mixed woodland with amenity ar-
eas and the dark green is commercial
woodland and brown area is the allot-
ment space. YEAR 0 - 7
The middle diagram again is highlight-
ing how the temporary spaces will
change over time with the addition of
new service/allotment areas brown.
Some of the woodland spaces are bro-
ken up due to new phasing. The wood-
land left behind can still be retained.
YEAR 7 - 14
The bottom diagram simply shows how
a lot of the temporary forest is broken is
broken up altogether with some spaces
kept such as the allotment and new ser-
vice spaces (brown) and mixed wood-
land (medium green) and commercial
woodland (dark green) which would
not be a commercial forest anymore.
YEAR 14 - 21
The top diagram highlights how the temporary
space will change over time. The light green is
open space, medium green is light mixed wood-
land with amenity areas and the dark green is
commercial woodland. The brown areas are allot-
ment and work spaces. YEAR 0 - 7
The top middle diagram is highlighting how the
temporary spaces will change over time with the
addition of new service/ allotment areas. Some of
the woodland spaces are broken up due to new
developement. The woodland left behind can still
be retained and used to enhance the quality of
the public relam. YEAR 7 - 14
The top bottom diagram simply shows how a lot
of the temporary forest is broken up altogether
with some spaces kept such as the allotment/
work spaces, along with mixed woodland and
commercial woodland, which would not be in
commercial use any more. YEAR 14 - 21
Commercial Woodland
Mixed Amenity Woodland
Open Space
Allotment/Work/Service Space
Pelletstown - Phasing Strategy
10
New Buildings
Service Buildings
Existing Buildings
The top dia
system dur
footpath sy
ings (blue)
velopment
(black). YE
The middle
ond phase o
blue as it ta
isting and n
ond phasin
one. YEAR
The bottom
third phase
blue showin
spond to po
on site. By t
be fully dev
14 - 21
The top diagram
ing the first pha
service building
ment in red. YE
The middle dia
of the footpath
amongst the ex
YEAR 7 - 14
The bottom dia
the footpath sy
change and res
velopment on s
may be fully de
The top highlights how the temporary
spaces will change over time. The light
green is open space, medium green is
light mixed woodland with amenity ar-
eas and the dark green is commercial
woodland and brown area is the allot-
ment space. YEAR 0 - 7
The middle diagram again is highlight-
ing how the temporary spaces will
change over time with the addition of
new service/allotment areas brown.
Some of the woodland spaces are bro-
ken up due to new phasing. The wood-
land left behind can still be retained.
YEAR 7 - 14
The bottom diagram simply shows how
a lot of the temporary forest is broken is
broken up altogether with some spaces
kept such as the allotment and new ser-
vice spaces (brown) and mixed wood-
land (medium green) and commercial
woodland (dark green) which would
not be a commercial forest anymore.
YEAR 14 - 21
The top diagram highlights how the temporary
space will change over time. The light green is
open space, medium green is light mixed wood-
land with amenity areas and the dark green is
commercial woodland. The brown areas are allot-
ment and work spaces. YEAR 0 - 7
The top middle diagram is highlighting how the
temporary spaces will change over time with the
addition of new service/ allotment areas. Some of
the woodland spaces are broken up due to new
developement. The woodland left behind can still
be retained and used to enhance the quality of
the public relam. YEAR 7 - 14
The top bottom diagram simply shows how a lot
of the temporary forest is broken up altogether
with some spaces kept such as the allotment/
work spaces, along with mixed woodland and
commercial woodland, which would not be in
commercial use any more. YEAR 14 - 21
mercial Woodland
d Amenity Woodland
n Space
Allotment/Work/Service Space
Phasing - Land Use Phasing - Building DevelopmentPhasing - Footpaths
0 - 7 years
7 - 14 years
14 - 21 years

32. Pelletstown - Model
11
Model - Part of the scheme in model form
Before Coppicing After Coppicing Covered Area in the Forestry
Location

33. Other Material
Freehand Sketches

34. Field Trip to Barcelona, Spain
1
Above sketches looking at details in the built landscape
Exploring Barcelona - March 2010

35. Field Trip to the Causses Cevennes, September 2010
2
Erasmus - Blois, France

36. Personal Interest - Dublin City
3
Comparing Mountjoy Square, Dublin & Belgrave Square, London
“O’Connell Street, Dublin, 1988
Mountjoy Square
Belgrave Square