Lower Abbey Street.

Initially I mistakenly thought that the structure erected around the hall beside Scots Church was an over-engineered piece of temporary works to facilitate restoration of the building.

It seemed a very elaborate structure for temporary works though...

Turns out it's the framework for a new building, to provide additional accommodation for the adjoining headquarters of the VHI.

Image by McCauley Daye O'Connell Architects

The project was designed by McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects.

The streetscape along this stretch of Abbey Street is so fragmented that such a contemporary intervention was a brave, but logical choice. It's success, in the end, will depend on the quality of its cladding. It'll certainly be an interesting addition to the street. See more details on the project here