Permission granted to transform historic Limerick building into dynamic hub

PLANNING permission has been granted to Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) for the redevelopment and change of use of the former Laundry Building on Pennywell Road, located at the TUS Clare Street Campus which is home to Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD). 

The redevelopment supports the establishment of the Forge Design Factory (FDF), Ireland’s first interdisciplinary design and learning hub, and part of a global network of 40 design factories.   

Jimmy Browne, Chief Operations Officer, TUS,  welcomed the decision, saying: “This planning approval marks another important step in the ongoing development of our Limerick city campuses.

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"The redevelopment will enable TUS to continue expanding its education and research capacity while respecting and re-puporsing   an important part of Limerick’s built heritage," said Jimmy.

FDF aims to bring together students, educators, researchers, and industry partners to foster innovation, creativity, and collaboration.  

Their vision is to build a vibrant ecosystem of designers and industry leaders, driving impactful solutions to real-world challenges and supporting sustainable regional growth through design-led innovation. 

This project forms part of a wider initiative developed through Forge Design Factory, a collaboration between TUS, University of Limerick, Limerick City and County Council, Tipperary and Clare County Councils and ICBE.

The aim is to cultivate a connected creative ecosystem that links academic research with the design and creative-industry SMEs. 

The Laundry Building redevelopment represents an opportunity to reimagine and reuse an abandoned structure as a highly flexible maker space, accommodating creative workshops, prototyping facilities, and industry-linked events to develop and showcase new ideas. 

The approved development provides for the conversion of the existing former laundry building into a modern education and research facility, with works including the upgrading of existing external finishes, replacement of roof finishes and reinstatement of a flat roof rooflight.

As it is a protected structure, the redevelopment will be carried out in line with an accompanying Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment (AHIA) to ensure the sensitive restoration and reuse of this historic structure.  

A condition of the planning will see proposals drawn up and implemented to facilitate the commemoration of the social history and significance of the site which was part of the Good Shepherd Convent and was a Magdalene laundry from 1848 until 1982. 

Professor Anthony Caleshu, The Dean of LSAD,  said: “ We are delighted that planning has been approved for redevelopment of the laundry site adjacent to LSAD. Sensitive respect for the history of the site is paramount to its redevelopment as a Design Factory, which will support a new generation of design innovators in the Midwest.”  

Eleanor Moloney, Research Director, LSAD, added: “This redevelopment will create new, flexible spaces that support creative practice, research, and collaboration across art and design disciplines - and will play a central role in advancing the Forge Design Factory vision.”