Grand Canal Square Theatre & Commercial Development by Daniel Libeskind

England has Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and now Ireland has its own thespian landmark: the Grand Canal Square Theatre. Whereas the Globe sits on the banks of the Avon River, Daniel Libeskind’s masterpiece is placed right at the heart of the Grand Canal Harbour precinct: a dramatic (in every sense of the word) lynchpin not only for the Square, but for Dublin’s architectural and artistic scene.

The Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial Development comes from Polish superstar architect Daniel Libeskind – a man known for his “culturetecture” portfolio, which includes the Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany, and the Danish Jewish Museum in Copenhagen, right through to an extension to the Denver Art Museum in the United States.

The project consists of a 2,100-seat performing arts centre, a new cultural landmark that stands out as much for its daring ruby-red interiors as its youthful angular glass façade. And integrated into this creative space is a commercial area: two office blocks, including 375,000 square feet of leasable office and retail space.

The development is based on three stages: the theatre itself, the piazza, and the theatre lobby above the piazza, which is illuminated at night. Of course, this is post-millennium architecture, and architecture for the arts, at that. So, these three stages aren’t segregated quite so distinctly as that. The external surface of the theatre forms the piazza’s main façade, and the piazza in turn serves as an expansive outdoor lobby for the theatre. And by incorporating the elevation of the site, the piazza can also be used as an outdoor theatre space in its own right, with viewing platforms and a public stage.

Stylistically, the two office buildings – though occupying their own “stage” in this program – are also integrated into the universal performance of the architecture. The building on one flank of the theatre combines a 5-star hotel and residential spaces; on the other flank, the commercial building contains office and retail areas. The South Block, Two Grand  Square, sits adjacent to the theatre; while the North Block – Four and Five Grand Canal Square – joins the theatre to form a gateway to the harbour. Glazed courtyards and landscaped roofs shelter the sustainable working environments within, and the whole project is topped off with a rooftop terrace, boasting views over the Dublin city skyline. But, to ensure real unity between the three volumes, the whole project is brought together by the multi-storey glazed atriums at the front façade of both commercial buildings. The result is that together, the theatre and the buildings at either side serve as a symbolic bridging point for the interconnection of retail, residential, cultural and public zones.

In the interests of accessibility, the building has not one but three main entrances: via Grand Canal Square, Misery Hill and Cardiff Lane. For the Grand Canal Square Theatre and Commercial Development was conceived with creative accessibility in mind: accessible architecture designed for everyday use, which will – most importantly – become a familiar landmark in Dublin’s cultural and physical landscape. The theatre has been open since March, though Dubliners will have to wait until mid-2010 to early 2011 before the office and retail buildings are ready for use. +

IMAGES Courtesy and Copyright of Ros Kavanagh and Jarek Matla Photography

1. The glazed façade of the two commercial buildings help integrate the Grand Canal Square Theatre into its downtown Dublin context. 2. As a landmark building, the theatre is an accessible bridging point – both physical and symbolic – between the built landscape and the canal waters. 3. Since its opening night in March, 2010 Libeskind’s theatre has already been welcomed as a standout element in Dublin’s architectural landscape, as well as a favourite cultural venue. 4. Even between performances, the 2,100-seat theatre is just as dramatic inside. 5. Extensive glazing and extended eaves make for a light-filled but protected internal space on this harbourfront site.