JBC Mixed-Use Development, Ballsbridge
265,000 sq. m new urban quarter
The JBC development will become a new vibrant mixed-use urban quarter based on the principles of sustainable urban design. The project consists of 536 generous family size apartments, crèche, retail shops and two anchor stores, 232 bedroom hotel, embassy complex, commercial offices, cultural complex including cinema, art galleries, music performance venue and artist studios together with 1,316 car spaces, 549 of which are located in automated car retrieval systems.
The complex was designed as a series of eight individual buildings to allow for the creation of a series of new pedestrian streets that allows the previously gated site to become integrated into the urban fabric and promote permeability through the site. The buildings range in height from 10 – 18 stores with the exception of the landmark structure located on an axis of Pembroke Road which is 37 storeys. The buildings are arranged to create a variety of external urban spaces that will define this new urban quarter.
The lower buildings are defined by the introduction of a number of setbacks and roof terraces to break down the massing and respond to the surrounding context. These buildings are clad in a natural brick with vertical windows and winter gardens; finely detailed reveals in the brickwork help give each building its own unique identity.
The landmark tower expresses itself in a different architectural language to distinguish itself from the other buildings. Here the principle external material is glass, consisting of a double skin which contains planar glazing, external glazed louvers and internal insulated timber shutters which will allow occupants natural ventilation and floor to ceiling glazing to take advantage of the views across the city, mountains and sea. This is one of the many examples of sustainable design that have been incorporated into this project.
The landscape design incorporates a botanical theme incorporating numerous plant species from different climate zones. These range from arctic plants at roof level to tropical plants located in glass hothouses or prisms at ground level. RKD Architects are collaborating on this project with Henning Larsen Architects who were successful in a limited architectural design competition for the site in 2006.
Location
- Dublin, Ireland
Area
- 265,000 sq. m
Completion
- 2014
Cost
- Private