daniel libeskind: grand canal square theatre and commercial development

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

project info:

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)