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CONCEPT

Sitting proud at the entrance to the harbour, the Colossus was a symbol of unity for the people who inhabited the beautiful Mediterranean island of Rhodes.

Like the mighty Colossus, this iconic landmark for Dublin strives to create a moment along the Liffey where the presence of a building is able to command the water and its character transcend its occupation.

This dynamic landmark should endear itself to the people of Dublin and become a symbol for the social and economic regeneration of the Docklands Area as a world class city quarter.

SITE

Strategically located at the confluence of the river Liffey, the river Dodder and Grand Canal Dock, the site both marks and guards the entrance to the city of Dublin. The linearity of the site and its strong North-South orientation allows the tower to be clearly silhouetted against the rising and setting sun along the Liffey.

ARCHITECTURAL STRATEGY

The building establishes itself as a landmark through its dis-aggregated three dimensional sculptural tower sitting above a three storey ramped podium.

With reference to shipping technology, two layered glazed East and West façades, of varying opacity and colour are bounded by a North-South continuous steel ribbon with punctured openings.

The scheme offers 10,895 m2 of high quality mixed use environment with 3 floors dedicated to recording studios for U2 and 12 floors of office accommodation above a restaurant/bar and ancillary planted terraces.

The podium incorporates street entrances to the office tower and first floor gallery space and offers a range of small duplex retail units as an extension of the proposed use along Britain Quay leading up to the main retail area fronting Hanover Quay. At ground level a café holds the corner facing the proposed bridge across the canal.

A basement car park is entered off Britain Quay and provides 24 car spaces with a further 4 with dedicated U2 usage

. STRUCTURAL & CONSTRUCTION STRATEGY

Despite the scheme's unique profile, an organised and regular steel frame grid is consistent throughout and stabilised by a concrete core and a slim-deck floor system allowing for practical and economic construction.

The cantilever and arching of the south elevation ('the lower back') is structured by large scale triangular support steels tied back to the primary structure…rather like resting a hand on one's hip.

The undulation of the north elevation ('the front') is supported by the steelwork within the studio lift shaft. From this semi-glazed column one will have spectacular views of Dublin and beyond with possible controlled public access to a panoramic deck. A telecommunications mast/flagpole rises from this lift shaft.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY

As far as practically possible with tall commercial buildings, the approach is to be sustainable.

The volume of this building type dictates that a certain level of mechanical intervention will be necessary. Nonetheless, the scheme has been designed to benefit not only from natural lighting and ventilation (effective to a depth of 6m) but also 'stack effect' cooling and photovoltaic solar panels for hot water and heating systems. The curve of the south facing façade ('the back') offers the ideal profile to accommodate all angles of the sun. Angled vertical glass baffles protect the West facing glazed façade from solar gain and allow views across the city.

As such the scheme is considered 'mixed mode', using technology to make intelligent decisions in the management of the natural resources that are immediately available but recognising that under certain conditions these will need to be topped up and where necessary to control the 'marine' environment.

The spine core provides for all risers accommodating landlord, tenant, fire, flue, air handling and kitchen requirements.

Further Information

De Matos Storey Ryan Website: http://www.dmsr.co.uk