educational

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Library, Lecture Theatres, Information Technology Building & Directorate

This is a new gateway building for the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. A fundamental part of the brief is to provide a new corporate image for the Institute of Technology. This was achieved by providing a primary elevational feature which is 3 large copper sails which form the complete outer skin of the building. Structurally this copper sail is achieved using a three-pinned arch creating the wall and roof over the main library reading room area. The sails are 3 floors high and encompass the overall building envelope with glazed screens in between. Exposed, the sails funnel the air from the exterior into the interior of the building where the potential of the exposed reinforced concrete structure is utilised for thermal mass in a natural ventilation system for the building. Developed structural engineering details give a very defined aesthetic to the building with the structure exposed throughout.

Construction Cost:	€23m
Start date:	December 1998
Completion date:	September 2002
Client:	Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology