University College Dublin (UCD) has announced a two-stage international competition organised by Malcolm Reading Consultants that aims to find the best project that will create a £42 million Centre for Creative Design and remaster the entrance to the UCD campus.
“The essential design challenge embodied in the masterplan vision and the Centre for Creative Design is to give the university greater presence, greater visibility so that it resonates, becomes better integrated and is a distinctive entity within the city of Dublin,” said Andrew J Deeks, UCD president.
“When people come here we want them to immediately engage with and strongly relate to the university. We want our physical environment to inspire and energise students and faculty tutors; local innovators and communities,” he added.
The Future Campus project will deliver 21st century facilities for students and staff, as well as raising the profile of the university locally and internationally. The new 8,000 m² building will feature interdisciplinary and collaborative spaces, while the 24ha masterplan is expected to open up around 335,000 m² of new development on the campus.
“UCD is seeking a team that understands how to translate thought-leadership into physical cues, creating placemaking and architecture that, ultimately, combines to make the UCD student and faculty experience one that is deeply felt, memorable and visually satisfying,” explained the competition director at Malcolm Reading.
The first phase of the competition will see entries from creative integrated multidisciplinary teams organised under a lead consultant and including expertise in architecture, engineering, landscape, masterplanning, sustainability, transport planning, and urban design.
Five teams will then be shortlisted and invited to the campus where they will create concept designs for the new landmark and the Centre for Creative Design. All finalists will receive an honorarium of around £35,000 once the competition is finished.
The deadline for application is the 26th of March at 2pm.
