Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s with Scott Tallon Walker Architects, Sasaki Associates, GROSS. MAX., Arup, Atelier Ten, IN2 Engineering Design Partnership, Linesight, Michael Slattery Associates and i3PT have been shortlisted for the UCD Future Campus.

This international design competition focuses on enhancing and enlivening University College Dublin’s extensive campus. The competition seeks an outstanding integrated team for two much-needed design initiatives.

Firstly, to create a strong urban design vision that foregrounds a highly-visible and welcoming entrance precinct, one combining placemaking with a stronger physical presence and identity for the University. And, secondly, to devise a concept design for a charismatic new building that expresses the University’s creativity – a making and learning lab – the Centre for Creative Design.

In our proposal, the campus’ woodland walks are connected to form a public park around the campus. Their manicured landscapes are ‘re-wilded’ and drawn deep into the campus in a series of green promontories that alternate with academic plazas. The plazas signify UCD’s shift away from a campus of linear walks towards one of urban squares, each of which is anchored by a heritage structure.

A sweeping timber roof covers the lofty spaces, beginning as an expansive protected outdoor commons for the entire university and ending in a dramatic event space overlooking the main entrance with views to Howth Head beyond.

Further information including a the shortlisted projects is available on Malcolm Reading Consultants competition website.