The banks of the River Liffey have been used for thousands of years. First, by the ancestors of the Irish. Then, by successive generations through to the present day. They have seen the migration of the Irish to all corners of the world and the return of many of their children as well as visitors to Ireland. The docklands have provided the setting for this rich history and interchange of culture. The fabric of the docklands has been built up over generations and the materials embody this history. The textured brickwork walls of the warehouses, the stone and clay of the river bank and the steel of the girders and trusses of the machines that work the docks.

As well as providing a marker to the entry to the Grand Canal Docks, it is important that the Landmark Tower recognizes this history and reflects both the physical and historical context. The location of the tower at the junction of the River Dodder and River Liffey stands at the threshold of maritime movement out into the international world and movement from the international world into the domestic world of Ireland. It is a position that is both grounded and outgoing.

The fabric of the Tower has been carefully designed with a solid base and a tower that provides dynamic forms to respond to this location. The materials and shapes of masonry, stone and steel speak of the dockland wall planes and machines as well as reaching back into antiquity to reflect the shape of the stone monoliths erected by the earliest inhabitants of Ireland. It is particularly important in the development of industrial areas into residential and commercial uses that the very fabric that gives the area its richness is not neglected. This selection of materials allows for reuse of existing materials from the area, in particular, masonry. The flat planes of the walls also provide an appropriate setting for more high technology building materials such as LCD screens.

The base of the Landmark Tower has been bisected by a two storey atrium that provides a link between the residential block structure to be created to the west of the site and the edge of the River Dodder. Setting the first two floors of the base back from the river's edge encourages pedestrian movement along the edge and through the atrium. An outdoor courtyard at the south end of the site provides for eating, sitting and entertaining with the provision of outdoor facilities to the café/restaurant as well as seating and a small bandstand. This will create a place that is busy and pleasant allowing for a sense of community as well as a vibrant area for visitors. The nightclub and a further bar are placed in the first floor of the platform to separate it from streetside activities.

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This encouragement of various movements means that there is no back to the building. It addresses the neighbourhood on all sides. The walls facing Britain Quay are articulated to respond to the scale of the future development on the other side of the street. The top of the platform element has been developed to provide a roof garden café. The garden area is provided with shade structures and will be planted as an "Ecoroof" which will provide an island of green four stories above the ground that will also help reduce water runoff and filter pollutants.

The elevators are located in the center of the building. This provides a structural core to the tower with floor planes supported on perimeter columns and cantilevered. It also means that the tower will have views on all sides - across the river, back to Dublin and across the Grand Canal. The layout design of the tower is for commercial use. However, it could also be for residential or residential/commercial mix.

The U2 Studio is articulated as its own form and is visually separated from the lower part of the tower. Although shapes and materials link the two sections to result in an integrated structure. The studio has been provided with views on all sides.

The proposed Landmark Tower scheme will provide a visual marker for Dublin from the River Liffey that responds to the fabric and history of the area and will provide a unique and stimulating place for the activities of the local residents and visitors.