WATERWAYS VISITOR CENTER · Dublin, Ireland

Killian O’Sullivan, Project Intern Office Of Public Works, Architecture, Dublin An exhibition and visitor center located on the 1796 Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. The government body commissioning the work had no site options on land and it was decided to locate the building on the water over which the client had full jurisdiction.

Killian O’Sullivan, Project Intern Office Of Public Works, Architecture, Dublin An exhibition and visitor center located on the 1796 Grand Canal Dock in Dublin. The government body commissioning the work had no site options on land and it was decided to locate the building on the water over which the client had full jurisdiction.The building has a simple form; square in plan, with a cylindrical internal stair tower, linear exterior stairs and a service building forming the portal at the end of the access jetty. Low-level perimeter windows allow light reflecting from the water to animate the space within while keeping wall space free for display.Built on steel piles supporting a precast concrete platform and a steel framework, the exterior is clad in aluminum panels with oak interior finish, guardrails and stairs are in painted steel, and the circulation tower is in glass block.