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 for it, 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 Galway-based JJ Rhatigan, main contractor for the development. Speaking about this notable appointment, he said he was 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,” he said.
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.
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.
