The site on Britain Quay offers a tremendous opportunity to build a striking and dynamic architectural landmark which, with its relationship to the Liffey will become a symbol of arrival and departure, providing a new social focus for an emerging local community, an exciting destination for a good night out, integrating this unique and historic part of Dublin's heritage with the rest of the City, a catalyst for future growth and the regeneration of the docklands.

The building takes the form of a slim and elegant inclined tower supported by commercial space beneath. It will set an example for energy conservation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. The careful selection of durable materials and finishes for the fabric of the building together with an ecologically responsive design will help to ensure that running and maintenance costs are minimised, whilst providing a high quality internal environment. All areas can benefit from natural ventilation and the controlled ingress of daylight.

The tower must respond to a functional and commercial brief, and future proofing the concept is critical to its long term life expectancy. A simple plan arrangement ensures flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and the use of space. We believe in an innovative approach to the design and use of materials, using tried and tested technology, providing inherent flexibility and standardization for rapid construction and low cost.

The building has been designed to create a dramatic silhouette - an inclined tower where the nightclub, restaurant, residential and studio spaces enjoy stunning views with staggered external terraces. The naturally ventilated office areas enjoy views of the river but their form is subdued, being recessed and simply clad with a body tinted glass to control solar gain, accentuating the dramatic nature and elegance of the inclined tower.

Each of the four main functions has independent access. The podium is accessed via a dramatic external staircase rising to a large terraced area. The podium is also served by a large multi purpose lift. The residential apartments have a ground floor entrance lobby and are accessed via external funicular lifts rising up the underside of the inclined tower providing a unique experience with simple technology. A separate entrance lobby serves the office areas, accessed via a bank of four lifts, two of which are panoramic with views of the Liffey. The Studio is accessed via one of the external lifts, configured to provide a dedicated service direct from secure basement parking.

We have raised the principal accommodation above the ground level which can then be more open and permeable onto the Liffey Campshires. The external landscaping treatment runs through the building lobbies and onto the raised and publicly accessible podium terrace which provides stunning views. Although space is limited at ground level a significant contribution towards a successful public realm can clearly be made.

Structural System

The planning, use and form of the building creates linear open floors, based on a standardized diverging structural grid. The primary structure will comprise a reinforced concrete frame combined with a high level steelwork structural system to the studios, all designed to meet appropriate finish, durability and fire resistance and acoustic standards.

To achieve the floor spans and an appropriate level of flexibility within the architectural concept, the floor structure will consist of a reinforced concrete flat slab construction spanning around 9m between columns.

Lateral and torsional structural stability to the building will be provided by cantilevered circulation cores, constructed in reinforced concrete, placed at the centre and the northern ends of the building. The central core effectively slopes up to meet the vertical northern core at high level.