Urban: Grand canal square theatre and commercial development

Grand canal square theatre and commercial development
Daniel libeskind:

grand canal theatre, dublin, ireland
all images courtesy daniel libeskind architects

grand canal theatre, a dramatic addition to dublin's docklands designed
by architect daniel libeskind, will open its doors for the first time to the public
tommorow.

the concept of the grand canal square theatre and commercial development
was to build a powerful cultural presence expressed in dynamic volumes sculpted
to project a fluid and transparent public dialogue with the cultural, commercial
and residential surroundings whilst communicating the various inner forces intrinsic
to the theatre and office buildings. this composition creates a dynamic urban gathering
place and icon mirroring the joy and drama emblematic of dublin itself.

the 2000 seat grand canal theatre is a landmark that creates a focus for its urban
context, specifically grand canal square, the new urban piazza at the waterfront of grand
canal harbour. the architectural concept of the theatre is based on stages: the stage of
the theatre itself, the stage of the piazza, and the stage of the multiple level theatre lobby
above the piazza. the theatre becomes the main façade of a large public piazza that has
a five star hotel and residences on one side and an office building on the other. the piazza
acts as a grand outdoor lobby for the theatre, itself becoming a stage for civic gathering
with the dramatic theatre elevation as a backdrop offering platforms for viewing. from
its rooftop terrace, the theatre offers spectacular views out over the dublin harbour.

the theatre is integrated into the commercial development by office buildings that
include 45,500 square meters of leasable office and retail space. with their twin facades,
glazed atriums and landscaped roofs, the two office blocks offer sustainable state of
the art work environments. by designing multi-story glazed atriums, the commercial
buildings integrate with the adjacent retail, residential, cultural and public space
components. three prominent entrances make the buildings accessible from grand canal
square, misery hill and from cardiff lane. although both offices are designed in the same
architectural language,each responds to its site uniquely. two grand canal square (south block),
which is adjacent to the new 2,000 seat theatre, opens up towards the square, while four
and five grand canal square (north block), in conjunction with the theatre, form a dramatic
gateway to dublin harbour.

the commercial development is expected to be complete between mid 2010 and mid 2011.

view of the theater in the evening

the opening production at the grand canal theatre will be a performance of
swan lake by the russian state ballet, featuring star soloists from the bolshoi ballet.

model of grand canal theatre

rendering of grand canal theatre

grand canal square theatre and commercial development
commission: 2004
completion: 2010
client: ramford limited, chartered land

building address: grand canal square, dublin 2, ireland

technical details:
building area (mixed use):
south office block:
21,092 sq.m (226,992 sq.ft)

theatre:
13,768 sq.m (148,171 sq.ft)
2,000+ seating

north office block:
33,320 sq.m (358,590 sq.ft)

structure:
theatre volume – stainless steel rain screen cladding panels on reinforced concrete
and steel structure with strips of high performance glazing.

theatre glass curtain – high performance glazing with exposed polyester powder coated
pre-fabricated steel box sections.

commercial buildings – low-iron unitized twin skin glazing system with geometric
ceramic frit patterns with solar / glare perforated venetian blinds and capped unitized
curtain walling with fixed blade louvers.

credits:
architect of record: mccauley daye o'connell, architects
quantity surveyor: davis langdon pks
joint venture partner: architekt daniel libeskind ag
executive architects (commercial): mcauley daye o'connell architects
project management: lafferty project management
structural engineer: arup consulting engineers, dublin
mechanical and electrical engineer: arup consulting engineers, dublin
acoustic consultant: arup acoustics
venue consultants: arup venue consulting
theatre consultant: arts team (part of rhwl architects)
architectural lighting designer: pritchard themis
fire protection consultant: michael slattery associates
facade consultants: billings design associates
cladding consultants: offices and theater boh facade: permasteelisa group
steel/glass: permasteelisa central europe
health and safety: bruce shaw partnership
contractor: john sisk & son ltd.
facade sub-contractor: permasteelisa central europe (theatre)
permasteelisa s.p.a (commercial buildings)

Grand Canal Square Dublin

2004-10

Studio Daniel Libeskind

New commercial & cultural development

Opening Night:

images © Ros Kavanagh

Grand Canal Square Theatre - main page with completed building images

Developer: Chartered Land

Site: Dublin Docklands Development Authority

images © SDL

16 Oct 2008

CHARTERED LAND ANNOUNCES SIGNING OF

BCM HANBY WALLACE FOR GRAND CANAL SQUARE

CHARTERED LAND, one of Ireland's leading commercial property companies has announced that BCM Hanby Wallace has signed legal documentation to occupy over 150,000 sq ft of office space at Number 2, Grand Canal Square. The law firm is currently located on Harcourt Street and expects to move to its new home in early 2010.

Speaking at today's announcement, Dominic Deeny, Chief Executive, Chartered Land, said: "We are delighted to welcome BCM Hanby Wallace to Grand Canal Square. The move reinforces the emergence of Grand Canal Square as one of Dublin's most exciting and dynamic new business districts and we wish the partners and staff of BCM Hanby Wallace every success in its new location."

Early concept model ; Aerial rendering of site ; Model + View

images © Jock Pottle ; © Lafferty Design Studio ; © SDL

Set in the heart of Dublin's south docklands, Grand Canal Square was designed by acclaimed international architect Daniel Libeskind and is rapidly becoming the commercial and cultural heart of the city. Its three office buildings, totalling 380,000 sq ft, each enjoy their own distinct identity with sculptured elevations and high performance thin flue glazed facades. The office space has been designed and built to exacting standards and is arranged around spacious full height atriums.

Aerial Photos of Construction Progress, Sep 2008 ; photo on right - Aug 2008

pictures © Peter Barrow Photographer, from Bannon 171008 photo © John Sisk and Son Ltd, from SDL 161008

Also speaking at today's announcement, Paul McGennis, Managing Partner, BCM Hanby Wallace, said: "Grand Canal Square is the perfect location for our new headquarters and we are particularly excited about the forthcoming move. The building's state-of-the-art facilities, unique setting and central location will provide us with additional space in which to further expand and develop our business and will provide our staff and clients alike with a fantastic working environment."

Grand Canal Square is one of a number of major new office developments by Chartered Land. The developer is also building 30,000 sq ft of office space on Clarendon Row, adjacent to St. Stephen's Green which is due for completion in December and recently submitted a planning application to Fingal County Council for an expansion of Swords Pavilions which includes over 160,000 sq ft of office space.

The development is situated in an area of Dublin city which is seeing unprecedented investment in public transport infrastructure. The area is served by the DART at Grand Canal Dock station, and on completion will be joined by the new C1 Luas line and the four-lane Samuel Beckett Bridge which will link Grand Canal Square with the National Conference Centre.

images © SDL

The area surrounding the development boasts an abundance of restaurants, bars and convenience stores. Dublin's south docklands is also home to O2, Beauchamps, Matheson Ormsby Prentice, McCann FitzGerald and HSBC.

Marcus Wren, Director of Offices with Bannon who acted for the developer, said: "Grand Canal Square has attracted considerable interest from a large number of major domestic and international corporate occupiers and we are confident that the scheme will be entirely pre-let upon completion next year. It is refreshing to be in a position to announce such positive news and this letting reinforces the confidence that major companies such as BCM Hanby Wallace have in Ireland's future as a major European economy".

For further details please contact joint agents Bannon +353 1 6477900

or HT Meagher O'Reilly on +353 1 6342466

2, 4 & 5 Grand Canal Square - Elements

Three office blocks + new theatre & public concourse

Office accommodation from 970 to 32,700 sqm

Performing Arts Centre and Galleria