Location – National University of Ireland, Galway
Status – Completed 2021
Value – €200,000

Aras Cairns is a protected structure on the North Campus of the University in Galway City.

The School of Law at NUI Galway required a moot courtroom on campus. Mooting simulates a court hearing and provides a realistic setting for students to learn advocacy and courtroom practice and procedure.

The brief required the room to simulate the ambience and atmosphere of a live functional courtroom.

The room was stripped back and its original cornicing, architrave, sash windows and their richly detailed casings were all restored.

All new interventions were designed of materials and character befitting of the function. A collection of natural oak panelled furniture pieces was added, which included a lectern/witness stand, Judges bench, and senior counsel’s table. Oak panelling wraps around the entire room perimeter, below the datum of the window cills (this also serves to conceal the existing heating pipework and radiators) embracing the original stone fireplace and culminating in a tall unit that forms the backdrop to the Judge’s bench.

This tall unit appears as a solid form and yet delicate joinery allows for two large AV screens housed within to be revealed to the room when necessary.

One of the primary goals of the AV upgrade was to provide AV capabilities that support simulated courtroom activities including hybrid video conference communication, as well as traditional single classroom instruction., it was also essential for a tutor at the lectern (witness stand) to be able to address students seated in the gallery, so the room can operate as a traditional classroom.