EXO Building in Dublin | Jamie HackettThe EXO Building, designed by Shay Cleary Architects, is Irelands tallest commercial office structure and a striking addition to Dublins skyline. Rising to 17 stories, the building is more than just a commercial landmark; it is an ambitious structural and urban intervention that responds to the complexities of its location. Situated within the Dublin Docklands and adjacent to the 3Arena, the site operates as a threshold between the historic city fabric and the industrial port. The EXO Building had to navigate the demands of high-density commercial development while engaging with an evolving public realm.EXO Building Technical InformationArchitects1-20: Shay Cleary ArchitectsLocation: North Wall Quay, Dublin, IrelandArea: 20,784m2 | 223,700 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 2018 2022Photographs: Jamie HackettOur aspiration was to provide a commercial building with a world-class working environment for potentially 2,000 people, while also addressing significant urban design opportunities, forming a city edge and city marker relating to Point Square, the Port, and the City. Shay Cleary ArchitectsEXO Building Photographs Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie Hackett Jamie HackettThe EXO Building Structural InnovationThe design emerged from an invited competition in 2014, with the architects tasked to create a prominent commercial office space within the North Docks Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). Beyond simply fulfilling programmatic requirements, the project aimed to define a dynamic urban presence, reinforcing Point Square as a key public space while addressing the sites infrastructural and historical significance.At the heart of the EXO Buildings architectural expression is its external exoskeleton, an innovative structural strategy that defines its aesthetic and shapes its functional logic. The exposed mega-trusses flank the building, creating an elevated structural beam, allowing large, uninterrupted floor plates free of interior columns. By positioning the primary structure externally, the design maximizes workspace flexibility while reinforcing the industrial character of the Docklands.A defining feature of the EXO is its elevated massing, which lifts the building seven meters above ground level, allowing for permeability beneath the structure. This move transforms the building into an active participant in the urban landscape, acting as a permeable filter rather than a spatial barrier. This design strategy enhances movement within Point Square and contributes to the broader dialogue of public-private interfaces in commercial developments.Integrating three elliptical mega-columns as the primary points of structural support further refines the buildings engineering ambition. These elements carry the truss structure, reducing ground-level obstructions while providing a visually striking architectural identity. The linear configuration of the 20-meter-wide plan ensures that each office floor enjoys panoramic views of the city and port, reinforcing a sense of openness and engagement with Dublins urban fabric.Materiality and Architectural ExpressionThe EXO Buildings materiality and formal articulation derive from a constructivist approach, drawing direct inspiration from the Docklands industrial heritage. The exposed blue trusses reference the iconic gantries and cranes that have long defined Dublins maritime character, establishing a meaningful dialogue between past and present. This approach imbues the project with contextual specificity, ensuring that it is deeply embedded in its surroundings rather than an imported architectural statement.The glazed facade, composed of a unitized panel system with projecting mullions, introduces a rhythmic depth that interacts dynamically with light and perspective. The glass surface becomes a silvered plane from oblique angles, allowing the blue trusses to stand out as the defining visual feature. This interplay between transparency and structure elevates the EXO beyond conventional commercial buildings, transforming it into an urban marker that shifts perception based on vantage points.Material considerations extend beyond visual impact, incorporating elements that enhance the buildings sustainability and user experience. The 1,000m landscaped roof garden provides a communal amenity for occupants, offering a retreat within the dense urban fabric. Additionally, the project was the first in Europe to achieve LEED V3 Platinum certification before practical completion, underscoring its commitment to environmental performance and workplace well-being.Urban Integration and Public Realm DynamicsOne of the most compelling aspects of the EXO Building is its engagement with the public realm. Rather than occupying its site as an isolated object, the building contributes to the evolving fabric of Point Square, reinforcing the area as a multifunctional civic space.By elevating the massing, the EXO preserves pedestrian permeability, ensuring that movement flows uninterrupted beneath the structure. This approach is particularly significant given the squares role as a gathering space for up to 13,000 people during events at the 3Arena. The building functions as a workplace and an urban canopy, providing shelter, a meeting point, and a dynamic threshold between the city and the concert venue.Furthermore, the project was conceived with future adaptability in mind. The potential extension of the Luas light rail system through Point Square was considered in the planning, allowing for seamless integration should the transit network expand. This forward-thinking urban strategy ensures that the EXO remains responsive to Dublins evolving infrastructural landscape.Including a triple-height free-standing glass volume at the northern end of the site further enhances Point Squares urban character. Designed for future retail or hospitality use, this element complements the main building by fostering additional street-level activity. These architectural decisions solidify the EXO Buildings role as an active agent in shaping the public realm.EXO Building PlansSite Relations | Shay Cleary ArchitectsFloor Plans | Shay Cleary ArchitectsElevation | Shay Cleary ArchitectsAxonometric | Shay Cleary ArchitectsAxonometric | Shay Cleary ArchitectsEXO Building Image GalleryAbout Shay Cleary ArchitectsShay Cleary Architects is a Dublin-based architectural practice known for its innovative and contextually responsive designs. Established by Shay Cleary, the firm specializes in contemporary architecture that balances structural ingenuity, urban integration, and environmental sustainability. Their portfolio includes high-profile commercial, residential, and cultural projects, with a focus on creating buildings that engage meaningfully with their surroundings. Notably, they designed the EXO Building, Irelands tallest commercial office structure, showcasing their expertise in advanced structural solutions and urban placemaking.Credits and Additional NotesDesign Architect: Shay Cleary ArchitectsExecutive Architect: Michael Collins & Associates (MCA Architects)Client: Grant Thornton on behalf of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)Owner: European Property Investors Special Opportunities IV (EPISO 4) Fund via Tristan Capital PartnersProject Management: Virtus Project ManagementBuilding Height: 73 metersSite Size: 4,603 mBuilding Levels: 17Quantity Surveyor: LinesightStructural Engineer: OConnor Sutton Cronin (OCSC)Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: OConnor Sutton Cronin (OCSC)Landscape Architect: Cameo & PartnersPlanning Consultant: Brady Shipman MartinMain Contractor: Bennett Construction LtdFaade Consultant: Murphy Faade GroupFire Safety Consultant: Michael Slattery AssociatesFaade Contractor: Tvitec IrelandSteel Fabricator: CimolaiMechanical Supplier: Jones EngineeringSustainability Certifications: LEED V3 Platinum (first in Europe to achieve this prior to practical completion)