Grand Canal Square At Night
Image by infomatique
At night-time, coloured lighting designed by Martha, in collaboration with Edinburgh based Spiers and Major Associates, illuminates the square and add to the theatrical experience of the space. The Docklands Authority is currently investigating, with the designers, ways to make this lighting interactive.
Grand Canal Square is just one initiative by the Docklands Authority in the development of public amenity space in the overall regeneration of the docklands area. Already the campshires – the area between the road and quay wall – have been revamped to provide a natural pedestrian avenue for two miles along the River Liffey and around the docks. Cycle lanes, seating, innovative lighting and architectural features create a recreational wharf-like environment for public to enjoy. Another major project is the development of a one kilometre linear public park on the banks of the Royal Canal in Dublin’s Docklands. Currently at design competition stage, in association with the RIAI, this is a major landscape architecture project for the Docklands Authority and one which will transform the stretch of the Royal Canal where it enters the River Liffey into an attractive and welcoming area.
Studio Daniel Libeskind has designed a new theatre and two superb new office buildings at Grand Canal Square. The diamond shaped West End-style 2,000 seater theatre is the centrepiece of the scheme, which is currently under construction by Sisk builders and due to be completed by 2010. The theatre is complemented by 380,000 sq ft of adjacent luxury office suites – Number 2, Number 4 and Number 5, Grand Canal Square all arranged around the Marta Schwartz Square. Each office building enjoys its own distinct profile and identity with striking sculptured shapes and a high performance doubled layered glass façade.
This is my first attempt at night photography (without a flash) please excuse the variation in colours when moving from one photograph to the next.