MJ Flood

This project is a three storey building hidden in a block off Baggot street in Dublin 2. Originally the Ecrivain restaurant for years, the building’s new purpose is a flagship furniture showroom for MJF interiors. The brief called for a mix of showroom, office and meeting space across the three floors with an external terrace to the rear at ground floor and first floor to the front.

The original building was a warren of small windowless dining rooms, double corridors and toilets on ground floor with a more dramatic double height volume at first floor and staff areas on second floor. Our first priority was to clear out all the superfluous walls on ground floor to reveal a small secret courtyard to the rear. We linked up to the first floor space with a dramatic corten feature stairs which draws you up and gives a glimpse of the double height above. The second floor of further showroom space opens onto the floor below giving multiple viewing points. The palette of oak, black ebony and corten is a backdrop to the main event of the furniture sets. The building was in a bad condition overall and has required considerable remedial works to bring it up to current standards. Its due to be completed in January 23.