The O’Brien Centre for Science at University College Dublin is a €269 million initiative divided into three distinct phases designed by RKD Architects.
At 35,000 sq. m and €110 million, phase 2 represents the largest of 3 phases and incorporates Science East and Hub teaching facilities as well as dedicated research facilities for the Complex and Adaptive Systems Laboratory (CASL), the Centre for Sensor Web Technologies (CLARITY) and the Earth Institute.
At the opening event on October 18th 2013 Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn praised the project, saying it would become an iconic example of how to design a science building. President Hugh Brady said the building will compete with the very best in the world. The O’Brien Centre for Science’s chief benefactor is businessman Denis O’Brien. He told IrishCentral.com, “It never ceases to amaze me – as I travel the world – the huge contribution Irish men and women have made in so many spheres, in so many countries… many of them graduates of this great university. […] I sincerely hope science students, from all over Ireland and overseas, will further their education in this world class facility and garner the necessary skills and experiences to become contributors to the world that awaits them. And I’m sure it is not too lofty to speculate that there are significant scientific discoveries that will be made in this fantastic new facility.”
Guest speaker Professor Brian Cox, who is well known in recent years for his efforts to popularise science, galvanised the project’s importance by taking the opportunity to urge the Government not to shift funding away from basic scientific research and went on to praise Ireland’s record on science.
Watch RTE News interview Prof. Cox at the event.
The opening of phase 2 represents a milestone in the realisation of UCD’s vision to create one of the world’s most dynamic science districts; an environment that will inspire future generations to engage in science. RKD continues to work closely with the University to ensure the successful implementation and delivery of such an innovative and forward-thinking project.
Already complete is the €64 million phase 1 incorporating The Centre for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery. It includes the Institute of Food and Health, the Centre for Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Centre for BioNano Interactions (CBNI).
The €95 million phase 3 is currently at feasibility stage and will complete the suite of facilities for the sciences at University College Dublin. Phase 3 will feature a world-leading Data Science Institute leverage and enhance UCD’s existing investments in the science of ‘big data’ and its applications in health, future ICT, finance, energy and the environment, and complexity science.
When complete the UCD O’Brien Centre for Science will be the single-largest capital investment in science in the history of the State – €269 million made up of state funding, private philanthropy, and university funds.
For more information about RKD’s work at UCD visit our portfolio.
To learn more about Mission Science at the O’Brien Science Centre visit the Campaign for Science website.
