Shortlist announced for Future Campus – University College Dublin International Design Competition

University College Dublin and Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) recently revealed the six shortlisted teams in the Future Campus – University College Dublin International Design Competition.

The teams were the unanimous choice of a selection panel that was chaired by the competition jury chair Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President of University College Dublin. The shortlist was expanded from the expected five to six in recognition of the outstanding response from the international design community. The finalist teams won their places on the basis of submissions scored on relevant experience and team composition.

The six teams (in alphabetical order by lead consultant with full details in Notes below) are:

  • Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Sasaki, Scott Tallon Walker Architects, GROSS. MAX., Atelier Ten, Arup, IN2 Engineering Design Partnership and Linesight
  • John Ronan Architects with Arup, CLUAA, Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture and Transsolar
  • O’Donnell + Tuomey with Allies and Morrison, Arup, Hargreaves Associates, Superposition, Plattenbau Studio, Phil Jones Associates, Max Fordham and MLM Group
  • Steven Holl Architects with Brightspot Strategy, Arup, HarrisonStevens and Transsolar
  • UNStudio with Arup and REDscape Landscape & Urbanism
  • Studio Libeskind with BDP, !melk, NRB and Dcon

The first stage of the competition attracted 98 teams from 28 countries.

The finalist teams now have around 10 weeks before the competition’s second stage hand-in to draw up an urban design vision that foregrounds a highly-visible and welcoming entrance precinct and create a concept design for a charismatic yet integrated new 8,000 sqm building that expresses the University’s creativity: the circa €48m Centre for Creative Design. The Future Campus project is intended to create a stronger physical presence and identity for the University within Dublin. The jury will assess the final submissions and interview the teams in the summer.

Professor of Architecture at University College Dublin, Hugh Campbell said:

“It is unprecedented to have a field of such calibre; with major internationally-renowned figures in architecture on the shortlist.”
Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President of University College Dublin and competition jury chair, said:

“We are interested in the outstanding.

“In holding this competition, we are seeking a design that will become an icon for the University – representing our vision to create something extraordinary and brilliant.

“The competition affords us a rare moment, to transform the campus in a way that promotes a strong sense of community and inspires students and faculty, visitors and local innovators to explore new ways of learning and thinking.”

Further members of the jury have also been announced. The full jury is: Professor Andrew J. Deeks, University College Dublin President (chair) with Malcolm Reading, Architect and Competition Director as the administrative chair; also, Sir David Adjaye, Principal, Adjaye Associates; Ann Beha, Principal, Ann Beha Architects and member, Harvard University Design Advisory Panel; acclaimed urban planner Joe Berridge, Partner, Urban Strategies, Inc.; Professor Hugh Campbell, Professor of Architecture, Head of Subject and Dean, School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy, UCD; Dermot Desmond, Chairman, International Investment & Underwriting; Professor Orla Feely, Vice President, Research, Innovation and Impact and Professor of Electronic Engineering, UCD; Professor David FitzPatrick, Principal, College of Engineering and Architecture and Dean of Engineering, UCD and Provost, Beijing-Dublin International College; Professor Michael Monaghan, Vice President, Campus Development, UCD; Sean Mulryan, Founder and CEO, Ballymore Group; and Paul Thompson, Vice-Chancellor, Royal College of Art, London.

Known as Ireland’s Global University, University College Dublin (UCD) is the country’s largest and most internationally-engaged higher education body, the destination of choice for international students coming to Ireland. It is also the most popular choice for Irish students seeking a university place in their home country.

Founded as an independent university 160 years ago by the visionary John Henry Newman, UCD has been a vital and influential force in shaping modern Ireland, both politically and culturally. UCD’s ability to foster creativity and expressiveness is reflected by alumni including the 20th century’s outstanding author, James Joyce; film maker Gabriel Byrne; and comedian Dara Ó Briain; as well as many successful architects and designers.

The competition winner announcement is anticipated to be in August 2018.

The competition is run in accordance with EU procurement rules and the Republic of Ireland’s S.I. No. 284/2016 European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016. This competition has been advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

About Damian Holmes 3253 Articles
Damian Holmes is the Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA). He is a registered landscape architect (AILA) working in international design practice in Australia. Damian founded WLA in 2007 to provide a website for landscape architects written by landscape architects. Connect on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianholmes/