The Office of Public Works (OPW) was hoping the €336,000 bicycle shed at Leinster House could become a model design to be adapted and reused at other historic properties.
New documents also detail how the OPW looked at prefabricated shelters for the parliamentary complex but “none were found suitable for [the] location.”
An architectural heritage impact assessment said the project was proving a “challenge” because of its sensitive historic location.
It said the bike shed needed to be “carefully treated and considered,” so as not to ruin vistas of Leinster House, the National Gallery or the Natural History Museum.
The assessment said the Oireachtas had also asked for the shelter to be “visible” to the public to help “demonstrate leadership in this sustainability action.”
However, the project was beset by delays and ended up costing €335,000, expenditure described as “inexplicable and inexcusable” by Taoiseach Simon Harris.
The chairman of the OPW John Conlon told an Oireachtas Committee last week the cost was “extraordinary” and wasteful public expenditure is likely to be a key issue in the general election.
Records released by the Oireachtas under FOI laws describe how several possible sites were looked at for the project including one that was dismissed on security grounds and garda advice.
The architectural assessment said: “The structural element of the shelter is to be as visually light as possible and of good quality material.
“This design could be adapted and used in other heritage properties. The rain screen will be glazed for least visual impact.”
It also said the shed needed to be “reversible” so that the main part of the shelter could be moved to a different location if needed in the future.
“The design should allow for the shelter to be extended without significant alterations to the existing structure,” said the report. “Shelter should be easy to maintain and repair.”
The assessment said the installation would be for 18 stands, catering for 36 bicycles, and “beneath a bespoke steel-framed, glazed canopy.”