East Quad and Central Quad, TU Dublin

The new home for 10,000 students

In September 2010, the Irish Government launched a major new urban regeneration development programme that included a purpose-built third level education campus for TU Dublin and a variety of public amenities, to be built on the grounds of St. Brendan’s Hospital in Grangegorman in Dublin 7. 

This development includes the “TU Dublin Campus at Grangegorman – East and Central Quads Public Private Partnership Programme”, which was delivered by Sisk FCC under a single contract to design, build, finance and maintain the two quads for 25 years.

East Quad, TU Dublin

The East Quad building accommodates the majority of academic activities and facilities required for the College of
Creative & Cultural Industries which consists of seven schools, five of which will be accommodated within the East Quad.

The accommodation includes a 400 seat music performance hall, music, dance & drama performance & practice spaces
and creative arts & media studios. 

Central Quad, TU Dublin

Central Quad building is an interdisciplinary teaching building. Science, research and innovation-focused, the building accommodates ten schools from the College of Sciences & Health, College of Engineering & Built Environment and College of Arts & Tourism, alongside general learning space, distributed learning commons, staff accommodation and building support. 

The building is a contemporary and dynamic interpretation of the classic university quadrangle, split into two L-shaped forms blocks around a landscaped courtyard. 

Natural ventilation and acoustic isolation

The East Quad project houses the National Conservatoire of Ireland and the acoustics requirements are very stringent. The desire for natural ventilation was a key driver in the project. A special solution involving acoustic louvres and openable dampers was created to provide natural ventilation without noise intrusion.

Both buildings make use of atriums to allow light into the centre of the building through roof lights and organise the circulation of the building around them. The East Quad has three atriums that vertebrate the building dividing it in three distinct areas that share similar functions. The Central Quad has one large atrium that houses a large staircase connecting all the building levels.