This half-day seminar led by architect James Kelly, Conservation Grade I, explores the history, construction and use of shop buildings in Dublin in the 18th and 19th centuries through four building case studies that recently involved major conservation and repair works.

James Kelly discusses the particular attributes, shared characteristics and conservation design challenges of four historic street buildings including 1 Capel Street, 32 Bachelors Walk and 18 Ormond Quay Upper. One lecture shall comprise a detailed overview of the two-year conservation of the internationally significant Thomas Read’s Cutlers of 4 Parliament Street, one of the most intact Georgian shop buildings surviving in Ireland and Britain.

Topics: Retailing history, urban planning, shop and shopfront design, material culture, brick construction and repair, historic joinery and signage, living accommodation, structural repair and intervention, servicing, conservation philosophy.