Architect of Carlow's Visual makes emotional return 

THE architect who designed Visual believes combining a theatre and gallery in one space was a defining moment for Carlow’s arts scene. 

Terry Pawson, who won an open international competition held by the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) to design Visual, returned to the venue recently for the first time since its opening 15 years ago.

Terry believes that when Carlow County Council decided to integrate a theatre alongside the gallery, it was a pivotal moment for the cultural potential of the project. He recalled how the design started as a much more modest “art gallery only” project until, after much local discussion and politics, the 330-seat George Bernard Shaw Theatre was added to the now-iconic galleries.

“Revisiting Visual was something I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Being on a touring holiday in Ireland with my wife Gilly Pawson was the perfect opportunity to return,” Terry explained.

When Visual CEO and artistic director Emma Lucy O’Brien heard of the visit, she arranged a tour for the architect and his wife. 

“It was a delightful surprise we weren’t expecting. We got a personal tour of the building by Emma Lucy, which was fascinating and emotional ‒ like visiting an old friend.” Terry described how it was a “good feeling” to see Visual’s progress and to reflect on how it all started over 15 years ago.

Visual was initially intended to be constructed in timber, but it was ultimately decided that glass would make a stronger visual statement.

“It was a great decision,” he said. “What I’ve always enjoyed about the final design is the sense of it being like an ice cube by day, quietly absorbing and reflecting light, and at night, with the light shining out through the glass, it becomes a more theatrical experience.” 

Terry was conscious of how a radically contemporary building would sit next to Carlow cathedral and Carlow College, which generously donated the site for the theatre and contemporary arts centre. 

“I wanted Visual to accept where it is in the world ‒ its location, its context, its time ‒ and to be large but quiet … a calm space in the town,” said Terry.