John Spain Associates were appointed as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide planning inputs and strategic planning advice in the preparation of a masterplan for lands at Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork controlled by the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC),

IMERC is a strategic, national initiative that helps to deliver specific objectives concerning Ireland’s maritime and energy sectors. IMERC forms part of an integrated national research infrastructure, including the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the Marine Institute in Galway. IMERC comprises a strategic partnership between University College Cork (UCC), Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Irish Naval Service (INS).

The Masterplan for the reclaimed lands at Ringaskiddy provide the framework for the development of a campus style development to cater for industry partners through the provision of co-located industry suites, incubation units, networking and brokering programmes, innovation partnerships and joint ventures.

The design team, through a process of review and consultation with IMERC and University College Cork, the Port of Cork and other key stakeholders, developed a site strategy and masterplan that met the needs and objectives of IMERC.

This project demonstrates the ability of John Spain Associates to work within a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a high quality land use framework for the future development of a campus style office and light industrial development on strategic lands.