Digital Media Building (IADT), Dun Laoghaire

This development provides over 7,200 m² of floor area offering an enhanced education experience for over 920 students across a wide range of disciplines such as design, animation & VFX, enterprise and technology. The building contains 19 state-of-the-art digital design studios, advanced computer laboratories and classrooms with five seminar rooms, and a 600-seat capacity restaurant. This innovative building makes a positive contribution to the existing campus and the surrounding areas. 

Engineering Design 

Favorable ground conditions on site allowed for the implementation of a shallow pad and strip foundation solution. Some areas of soft spots were locally dug out and replaced with leanmix concrete to bring the bearing level down to a suitable depth. Curtins worked with the main contractor to identify these areas and to ensure the excavated depth was kept to a minimum. The main structure is a 4 storey reinforced concrete flab slab construction supported on RC columns and RC Walls. Lateral stability is provided by diaphragm action of the floors transferring horizontal loads to the concrete cores and shear walls. A louvre plant area screen removes plant from external view and a covered plant area is used to house critical M&E equipment. The louvred screen and covered plant room are constructed using a galvanised braced structural steel frame. Sustainable drainage was used throughout the development and incorporates tree pits, swales and bio retention areas.