Our competition entry for a world class facility on the Centre Pier in Galway Harbour reflects both the city's cultural and maritime heritage has been influenced by a number of factors; environmental, historic and genius loci.
The ability for the "Centre Pier" to function all year round, supporting and hosting the many festivals and events of Galway and providing a new dynamic gathering place for the City, is seen as critical to the overall success of the project.
The principal and unifying feature of the design is the free standing north light roof structure which provides shelter from the Atlantic weather, acting as a giant umbrella over the centre pier. This roof structure also gives shelter to the main spectator space and stage as well as the external cafe/restaurant areas overlooking the Harbour and Marina.
The roof structure provides solar shading to the exhibition, retail/restaurants and office accommodation, reducing reliance on cooling plant, whilst also converting daylight to electricity.
