Pilots > Ballina
Connecting communities through an integrated and participatory approach to the cultural heritage and future of Ballina
Established as a town in 1723 with earlier origins associated with the foundation of the Augustinian Abbey in 1427, Ballina, Béal an Átha (mouth of the ford) is a town on the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo, Ireland.
The topography, buildings, designed landscapes and material culture of Ballina’s historic core confirm integral relationships between the natural and built environment that will be researched and activated by the inspiration of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus.
HeritACT action
Convent of the Immaculate Conception, All-Hallows
The building is listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as an important component of the 19th century-built heritage of Ballina. Therefore the convent has social, cultural and architectural value, and contributes to the sense of place and belonging in the town, and to social cohesion and community resilience.
The pilot project explores the potential of institutional buildings and sites to provide distributed centres for the EU Green Deal and the NEB in Irish towns, relating to the preservation of social, cultural, and artistic heritage and the integration of new communities.
The pilot proposes using an artist-led / culture-led urban regeneration strategy, reintroducing spaces into the community’s memory and experience of the town through an interventionist approach and demonstrating the potential of the reuse of institutional sites and buildings to transform the lived experience of all members of the community, generating a sense of belonging, attachment, and inclusion.
HeritACT use cases
Small-scale Pavilion structure
Innovative spatial and structural concepts will be developed to design and construct a small pavilion structure. The pavilion will serve as a landmark and may function as an information hub, an attractor of cultural events or exhibits, etc. It can be combined with other solutions to create an integrative and multifunctional environment, including a green wall, VR/AR, and Projection Mapping.
Digitally fabricated vegetable garden
This is a green modular system made using advanced manufacturing techniques. It has modules for growing plants and hosting living systems. It provides a green infrastructure for gardening activities open to all, and can be replicated to other sites. Collaboration strengthens the local community's sense of belonging and awareness of innovative techniques and sustainable materials.
Temporary structures from recycled material
Organic waste can be used to create temporary structures like movable roofs and lightweight partitions, following a full life-cycle design approach known as "Cradle-to-cradle". Local food waste, such as orange peels or coffee grounds, can be used based on the properties and performance requirements needed for the structure.
Reactivation of opens spaces through NBS
Nature-based solutions (NBS) use natural processes, vegetation, and sustainable materials to tackle environmental challenges with a multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary approach. NBS contributes to both climate adaptation goals and social inclusion objectives. Moreover, it provides social benefits like environmental education, ecological practices, and participatory planning and maintenance models that ensure social justice, inclusion, and improved well-being.
Projection mapping on kinetic surfaces
Combining AR and VR can improve exhibit understanding. A modular space concept is being developed for both physical and virtual environments. Visitors can interact with displayed items in the physical environment while those in the virtual environment require a VR headset and controllers. Alternatively, a mobile AR app will be developed allowing visitors to view physical objects in a virtual background using their camera.
AR enriched human-space interaction
HeritACT uses augmented reality to improve human-place interaction. It studies different reality enhancement technologies to help citizens with sensory dysfunctions and those of different age and interest groups. By studying interactions between physical spaces and people. The project focuses on specific soundscapes and projection mapping to enhance public shapes, supporting two applications.