Landmark Tower, Dublin

 

Competition to design a Landmark Tower


Including a recording studio for the rock band U2
By paying homage to the industrial past of the historic Docklands and celebrating the vibrant élan of the new Docklands the Landmark Tower embodies the various qualities of the site.

The heart of the tower is a robust brick core featuring a crackled glaze ceramic surface on the inside. A delicate veil of glass encases the entire core. At the platform level, the inner brick structure nearly touches the glass. From here the veil rises, held away from the narrowing brick tower within by the floors that extend out of the core. This innovative double-climate wall of glass features a textured surface that refracts and diffuses day- and artificial light into a play of luminescence. The core, the floors and this veil become inseparable elements of a sculpture.

The sculpture is modeled in such a way that the tower occupies the south side of the site and the platform is orientated towards Sir John Rogerson's Quay and the new bridge. This positioning minimizes the shadow cast by the tower on the Liffey River boulevard and allows the cantilevered part of the platform to cover the entrance area. Thus, the Landmark is firmly anchored in its surroundings while respecting the public spaces and the historic navigation aid building. The Landmark Tower will rise sovereign above the Docklands while a glimpse of the platform peeking from behind the line of the Dockland buildings teases and attracts the curiosity of promenaders. Finally, the establishment of public facilities on and in the platform reinforces the relationship of the Landmark Tower to the boulevard.

The Landmark is approached from the side of the cantilevered platform where both the main entrance and the automated car lift to the basement parking area are located. The entrance opens up to a lobby with a bar, restaurant, kiosk, and cloakroom facilities. Stairs and lifts from the lobby provide access to the night club and the rooftop garden. The lobby also provides access to the tower core with thirteen floors of commercial office units. The private entrance for the U2 band members is discreetly located on the south side of the complex. A secured access ramp leads to the basement with four parking spaces and the private lift to the studio. At ground level, a loading dock for freight and goods can also be accessed by this lift. On the upper level of the studio floors, the brick core unfolds to transform itself into a 'secret garden' and presents a spectacular panorama

Design team: Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w01 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w01 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w02 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w02 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w03 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w03 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w04 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w04 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w05 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w05 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
  • Landmark Tower w06 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten
    Landmark Tower w06 © Kruunenberg Van der Erve Architecten