Educational Buildings

Lifetime Lab at Old Cork Waterworks

Contact Details

The Lifetime Lab is located on the Lee Road on the north bank of the river in the western suburbs adjacent to the City Centre. It is situated on the site of the Old Cork Waterworks, which comprises of four buildings, the majority of which survive from Sir John Benson's 19th Century scheme for the Cork city water supply.

These highly significant groups of buildings were conserved and adapted to provide a new role as Lifetime Lab through careful repair based on detailed specifications for conservation, sympathetic design of all new elements and careful experienced conservation contractors under the eye of Jack Coughlan Architects. Restoration of this old waterworks building commenced in August 2004 and Lifetime Lab opened to the public in February 2006.

As a special event for Cork Heritage Open Day the team at Lifetime Lab is running a Water Open Day where volunteers will help visitors to learn about water, the role in our environment and the need to protect and conserve it.  Family fun activities include arts and crafts, falconry, bubble making as well as launching water rockets and water investigation.  Visitors will also be able to explore the permanent modern interactive displays on the themes of water, energy, nature and waste and view the boilers and huge steam engines that were used to pump water to supply Cork City.  Lifetime Lab also has a coffee dock, picnic area and children's playground.

Lifetime Lab comprises of 4 main elements:

• A Visitors Centre - Comprising a Theatre for workshops, seminars and conferences and an Exhibition Space with Interactive Display Units on Waste, Water, Energy and Nature.
• Steam and Industrial Heritage Centre - The well preserved Victorian Steam Plant and machinery are refurbished and on display.
• Environment Information Centre - Information will be available to the public on energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management and other environmental topics.
• Schools Resource Centre - The new National Science Curriculum for Primary Schools will be demonstrated and taught in a purpose designed classroom.

Electricity generated from the nearby Victorian Turbine House on the Lee is used to supply Green Electricity and is complemented with other energy efficient features such as solar thermal and PV panels, geothermal pumps and energy efficient control systems.

Website: www.lifetimelab.ie

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