2010 – Convention Centre Dublin, North Wall Quay, Dublin

The Convention Centre Dublin is a purpose-built international conference and event venue located in Spencer Dock. Its design features a unique glass-fronted atrium running the full height of the building which gives visitors panoramic views of the River Liffey, Dublin’s city centre, and the Wicklow mountains. Designed by Cork-born architect Kevin Roche.

The site is a portion of the Spencer Dock Development’s regeneration of the National Railway’s abandoned brown field rail yard bounded by the Royal Canal, North Wall Quay, and Mayor Street. The brief and site required a vertical stacking arrangement. The lobby and circulation foyers are enclosed by a dramatic glass atrium. Stairs, escalators, and lifts create an exciting processional moving up through the atrium. The foyers support a variety of activities beyond circulation; event registration areas, breakout / discussion spaces and food/bar service. The Centre’s architecture is a reflection of the programmed internal functions and the site. Exterior walls are clad with stone. The atrium glazing system is stepped and consists of stainless steel framing and high-performance, curved, laminated glass with a low-E coating. Continuous LED lights cap the east-west stone wall panels and at each step in the atrium, identifying the building as a major venue in the city.