The new GBP68 million ($102.3 million approx) five story venue, designed for developers Chartered Land/Ramford, Harry Crosbie Properties and Live Nation Ireland, was unveiled on March 18, 2010. Daniel Libeskind – winners of an architectural design competition on this project – was supported by Dublin-based McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects and Arts Team, London.
Global design practice Arup provided design for the auditorium acoustics, stage design and technical theater facilities – allowing flexibility to accommodate large-scale touring ballet, musical and opera productions.
Rob Harris, head of Arup’s arts and culture business in the UK and Middle East states, “The design of the room integrates the acoustic requirements with the striking architectural concept, providing a blend of sound reflecting and sound transparent surfaces, embellishing the sound clarity whilst maximizing the acoustic volume.”
The theater’s design and construction was completed within three years. The different buildings feature different cladding systems, with a perforated stainless steel rain screen. The rain screen features glazed strips distinguishing the theater from the commercial elements of the scheme. Red paving mimics a red carpet leading from the water at the canal dock to the theatre entrance. The glazed walls seemingly fold to reveal the various levels of the theater foyers where the audience will gather and animate the bars and gallery levels.
The theater is managed by Live Nation Ireland, part of Live Nation International, the world’s largest entertainment group.
Arup’s multidisciplinary team provided services including acoustic design, technical theatre systems and civil, structural, building services and traffic engineering.
