simon j kelly + partners architects

This building consists of 5000m2 of education accommodation. NUI Galway’s brief called for a contemporary flagship building which would encompass what is unique about the Irish language and establish a greater awareness of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge throughout the campus.

The proposed built form is made up of three elements:
1: A naturally ventilated ‘backbone’ element to the south and east,
2: A triangular element to the north west, stepping and reducing in volume as it moved towards an adjoining protected structure.
3: An extruded, glazed central atrium element.

In plan, where the three elements come together, a light filled atrium acts as a centrifuge, with the building programme and circulation routes spiralling outward into the building itself and beyond into the campus and city. A grass roof helps merge the single storey restaurant element with the adjoining park beyond.