mccullough mulvin architects: the long room hub

irish practice mccullough mulvin architects has completed ‘the long room hub’, a new humanities research building at the historical trinity college in dublin, ireland. the structure – classically derived and simple in its approach – is the latest to be completed by the studio in an ongoing effort undertaken by the school to achieve world-class status.

positioned at the north end of fellows square, the hub looks to become an icon, physically and experientially connecting the diverse and widespread allocation of buildings across the campus as a whole. responding to the architecturally relevant structures that surround it, the facility features a contrasting surface of positive and negative voids, which frame and reflect the encircling built environment. based on a modified fibonacci sequence, the stone-clad facade adds depth and interest to the otherwise solid four storey structure.

front facade from across sqaure

walnut-lined interior spaces, each unique in size and shape, develop a progression of warm and encompassing areas that can accommodate a range of programs and people. while the building houses research facilities for post-doctoral students, offices for visiting international fellows, seminar rooms and lecture spaces, it was initially designed to meet the needs of a team working on the digestion of the library’s collection of manuscripts and early printed works.

front facade

glazed light wells pierce through the internal volume, introducing light into the core of the cavernous unit. passing through double height spaces and communal areas, the columns establish a sense of spatial and social connections, both on the inside of the structure, and the outside.

entrance with view of fellows square

side elevation

interior spaces with view over fellows square

library

(left) multi-height volume
(right) lightwells pass through the structure

light wells and windows outwards

surrounded by a series of historical structures

site plan

site plan

site plan

floor plan / level 0

elevations

section