Civic architecture refers to buildings and public spaces that serve the collective needs and values of a society. These structures are designed not just for function, but to embody shared identity, culture, and democratic ideals. Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality are transforming a space at 30 Sandycove Road into the Smashing Times Arts and Human Rights Centre. The centre is open to citizens and communities and uses the arts to promote and advance equality, human rights and diversity.

The new Smashing Times Centre which is devoted to the arts and human rights is a living example of civic architecture. It has a gallery and small performance space and in the building we are creating a safe space for dialogue and expression, offering a platform for diverse voices and promoting the space itself as a catalyst for change. The space is an example of architectural sustainability and cultural reinvention.

Our proposal fits the Open House theme of ‘future heritage’ as we are transforming an existing space into an arts and human rights centre, giving new life to the building. “How can buildings evolve while maintaining cultural value and what does future heritage mean today?”

For Open House 2025 we offer a guided tour and talk. We are inviting people in to tour the space and listen to a talk on “Architecture and Activism: What values do we embed into the spaces we leave behind?”. The talk explores how we are making innovative use of an intimate space in an inclusive, accessible way and explores what future heritage looks like when it embeds a human rights approach reflecting on justice for all. The talk will include an overview of how we have transformed the building into a cultural hub and what energy efficient designs were used.

Pre-Book Only