SCUP Excellence in Planning for New Campus,
Honor Award

Health Service Executive, Dublin Institute of Technology and the local community Dublin, Ireland for the Grangegorman Urban Quarter Master Plan with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

Rendering Courtesy of Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners

The goal of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), located in 39 locations around Dublin is to consolidate the entire school on one campus in the city. The master plan promotes the exchange of ideas from the various faculties, and allows for sharing of grouped resources such as libraries, sports facilities, student services and student housing. The new campus will implement the strategic plan and related strategic objectives to facilitate and strengthen the institute’s educational paradigm, research strategy, and civic engagement/service learning agenda.

The project has received wide recognition for having a major impact on the economic, social and cultural life of the greater Dublin region. The master plan effectively balances an urban model of design and functionality while maintaining the bucolic landscape and historical resources in this site.

The jury commented “ . . . liked how the new building wrapped into the existing building . . . it’s a model for an unusual situation . . . pretty inspiring mix . . . nice balance of urban density and open space for campus . . . applaud them for the plan and its attributes . . .”

The master plan sets an influential standard and precedent for future urban development projects around the world and offers useful insights into the programming and planning process. It has multiple dimensions that directly relate to campus planning, programming and place-making methodologies.

It also examines how current and future trends in learning, technology, architecture and planning merge to create optimal learning environments.

The master plan creates two major centers of activity. The Upper Terrace and the Library Square combine to serve as the “academic/health heart” toward the west, while the more public-oriented Brendan Behan Arts Centre to the east is the “social/cultural heart.

“This is an unprecedented development in higher education in Ireland and within Europe, achieving all of DIT's strategic goals and creating a master plan of the highest quality,” says Noel O’Connor, head of campus planning, office of the president.

Project Team: Dublin Institute of Technology and Health Services Executive with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners; also DMOD Architects; School of Architecture, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom; Lützow 7.