Centre Pier
program Auditorium for 1500 standing or 1000 seated spectators, Commercial Offices, Exhibition space, Retail space, Marine facilities and Tourist informations size sqm 4000
By an architectural point of view.
Our proposal aspires to become a “landmark” both for the city and for the sea-coast.
It relates, rather than to previous architectures or other human artifacts, to the great geological formations that design so much of the irish coastline with impressive geometrical patterns.
The concept is to match the sculptural effect of geological formations with the cinetical mass of a wave and the lightness of a gigantic seagull.
Geology inspires the “extruded” composition of the roofing,, the sea waves inspire the shape and orientation of the same while bright aluminium panelling of the roof volume dissolve its weight into the reflection of sea and sky colours.
All this builds up an object that has a strong branding effect.
By a structural point of view.
Two parallel reticular vertical structures of variable height support the roofing’s lattice girders that cantilever towards the sea.
By a functional point of view.
The building consists of two parts:
The cultural one, towards the sea, is composed by the auditorium and the exhibition space, that are placed one upon the other.
The auditorium is on the upper level and its scenery is constituted by the sea, visible through a huge glass panelled courtain.
The exhibition space is located underneath in the interesting spaces at variable height created by the auditorium and the staircases, catwalks, connections of access to the auditorium.
The two functions are strictly correlated: staircases and accesses to the spectator hall overlook on the going-on exhibitions and some part of the exhibitions program will probably consist in performances or video-projections that will take place in the auditorium.
The auditorium respects the brief about the flexible use (1000p seated or 1500p standing);
the commercial one is composed by offices, retail and marina facilities, is widely glassed and open towards the harbour.
