Located on the peninsula that separates Grand Canal Dock from the River Liffey, the layout of this strategic urban quarter has been carefully considered to create a development of distinction, with a variety of high quality public spaces and exemplary building designs.
The scheme includes three residential buildings, a cluster of three office blocks and a pavilion building on the waters’ edge, arranged around two significant public spaces of contrasting character - a sheltered square, surrounded by buildings on all sides, and a large, open park with expansive views of the water to the north east of the site. The public realm is activated by social, café and cultural uses located at ground and first floors, which are intended to serve both the schemes’ occupants and the wider community.
The buildings are designed as strong, simple forms, taking reference from the traditional industrial architecture of the docklands. Their simple geometry and robust materiality are concerned with permanence and timelessness.
Capital Dock is a sustainable project, achieving LEED Gold certification. 175 of the 190 apartments achieve an A2 BER rating, with efficient thermal bridging details and air tightness levels of less than 2 m3/hr/m2.
Capital Dock was awarded the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing 2018-2019, Ireland’s highest accolade for a housing project. The following is an extract from the jury citation:
“The architects should be applauded for achieving this result, an exemplar of successful collaborative and sustainable regeneration of this strategic site to create a sustainable neighbourhood while also making a valuable contribution the consolidation of the city, and a vibrant and desirable place to live, work and recreate.”