Work to begin on one of Ireland’s most sustainable large buildings

The new Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry brings together  Engineering, Environment and Emerging Technologies on Trinity College Dublin’s campus in Dublin city centre.

The ceremonial sod-turning, hosted by [then] Trinity provost Dr Patrick Prendergast and his successor, Professor Linda Doyle, was attended by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, TD, and by philanthropist Dr Martin Naughton of Glen Dimplex, who donated €25 million towards the development of the facility.

The ceremony was also attended by Padraic Rhatigan, Chairman and group Managing Director of JJ Rhatigan, main contractor for the development. Speaking about this notable appointment, he remarked:

“We are delighted to be selected to build this innovative learning foundry. It is significant for JJ Rhatigan to be back on this historic campus to construct what will be one of the most sustainable large buildings in Ireland. We welcome the opportunities this will bring for our client Trinity College Dublin, the team, and for our project delivery partners.” 

This 7,300 sqm flagship building, which has been named the Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry, marks an expansion of education and research activities across Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences and School of Computer Science and Statistics. The building is designed to encourage new ways of student learning, including encouraging teamwork, design and project-based activities. When complete, the facility will create 1,600 new STEM student places, ensuring an academic focus on tackling societal challenges, including climate change – which the Minister referred to as the defining challenge of our times – and aiding Ireland’s transition to a ‘smarter’ economy. The central theme of E3 is ‘balanced solutions for a better world’.

Sustainability has also been a key consideration in the design of this six-storey building by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, from construction through to operation. The Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry will be the second Near Zero Energy Building delivered by JJ Rhatigan for Trinity College Dublin and has been designed to BREEAM Excellent and WELL Building standards to enhance the relationship between the building and the health and wellness of the occupants.

This innovative building will contain a voided slab system and the pioneering Thermally Active Building System, or TABS, which is a radiant heating and cooling system that uses the concrete mass of the building structure to store and exchange thermal energy to the neighbouring areas of the building.

The new facility will be located on the east end of the campus, between Westland Row and College Park and is expected to be completed by Autumn 2023.