Galway is reknowned for its thriving social and cultural calendar of events. This building seeks to embrace these events and facilitate open-air markets, parades, gigs, festivals, movie screenings, rallys, busking, etc. A variety of external public spaces, open-air and covered, are to be created.
The form of building is a reaction to the long pier site and the variety in the brief. The retail and marina elements are placed on the ground while the auditorium, gallery and office spaces are lifted up to allow external public spaces along the pier. The offices are located in a tower which acts as a beacon, giving the building a strong visual presence in the dock area. On the seaward side, the gallery is turned to address the entrance to the site and create a covered outdoor space.
