DUBLIN DOCKLANDS MODERN ARCHITECTURE | Big ambitions, small skyscrapers!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2024
- In this video we look at some of the striking and interesting modern architecture in the Dublin Docklands district. The tallest buildings are a fraction of the size of tall buildings in New York and Chicago. There are similarities to Manchester and Liverpool, for instance the Calatrava bridge in Dublin is similar to the one in Manchester and almost identical to Puente de la Mujer in Buenos Aires. To see the script in English and German, please turn on the subtitles!
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction from AidanEyewitness
01.40 The Fruit Warehouse + western Docklands
02.32 The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre + Grand Canal Dock
03.41 The Marker Hotel
04.07 Calatrava designed bridge + The Convention Centre
04.57 The Bank of Ireland + Eastern Docklands
05.29 Grand Canal Dock + locks + views over water
08:36 Millennium Tower + Grand Canal Dock
09:19 Alto Vetro - Lego brick tower
09.50 Google Docks EMEA HQ
11.50 3Arena former Point Depot
12.14 The Exo Building
Here are the important questions to be answered:
1. Many people say modern architecture is 'boring'. Is that true of the Dublin Docklands?
2. So far the Dublin Docklands have only allowed buildings of well under 100 metres. Should they allow much taller buildings, like the proposed U2 Tower?
3. Can old and new co-exist? Many older buildings have been retained and incorporated into new, state-of-the-art buildings.
4. My architect friend says buildings like the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre are showy, dishonest and even corrupt. Is he right?
5. Could Manchester's Hacienda have been redeveloped in a similar way to the Fruit Warehouse
German subtitles added 15.05.2022
Please comment! Should all cities build taller and taller buildings, like Manchester? Is it always possible to retain older buildings as part of new structures? Is the design of the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre 'just for show' or is it a top-grade piece of architecture? Could Manchester's Hacienda have been redeveloped like the Tropical Fruit Warehouse, with the old facade underneath and a new structure above it?
The years have made me bitter, the gargle's dimmed me brain.
Cause Dublin keeps on changing and nothing seems the same.
The Pillar and The Met have gone, The Royal long since pulled down,
As the grey unyielding concrete, makes a city of my town.
1961, I've been lucky to have been born and reared in Dublins Liberties in the last few years of The Rare Oul Times.
Wonderful video. Thank you.
Many thanks for that quote from the song 'The Rare Ould TImes' written by Pete St John and performed by the Dubliners and many other artists. I'm very honoured to receive your positive comment, many thanks! My first visit to Dublin was around 1964 when I was very young and I think my dad took me to the top of the Pillar, though I can't be sure. So I remember the rare ould times too, though just as a visitor. My parents came from Co Limerick and emigrated to England.
Very interesting content! I think Dublin is looking towards the Nordic model rather than the US/UK type of development. The Docklands area looks very much like Copenhagen's own dock redevelopment, or Oslo's Bjørvika district. I just wish it had a bit more height to it and bit less blocky, but most of the design is quite nice, in the north docks in particular.
Many thanks for the positive feedback. I’d not thought about the Nordic model. I know Helsinki is low-rise. I’d very much like to visit and make videos about Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen. I’ll keep your suggestions in mind.
Nordic model with some UK style
Excellent video. Dublin really is a breath of fresh air, and I really enjoy the human scale of the tall buildings. The blending of renovated buildings with modern additions is nice to see too. It has been a long, long time since I have been to Dublin, and I was very impressed with the Docklands area.
Thank you for your comment, which is also a breath of fresh air! It's nice to hear a positive response, people are often very critical of new development. I can think of lots of examples of where planners and architects have got it badly wrong. I've been interested in Dublin and its builidngs and development since my first visit when I was 6 years old, so I'm glad my video is getting a a positive response! Many thanks!
Great vid!
I wish the Irish authorities would allow a similar approach to residential housing. There is a massive shortage, huge prices, and it threatens social stability. The Irish resistance to high rise buildings is partly based on the towers of Ballymun which are synonymous with urban decay and broken communities. But, you have shown here, it is perfectly possible to build 100M high buildings which are functional and pleasing to look at. We have to build up, for rents to come down.
The housing crisis is very severe in Ireland. Maybe high rise buildings are part of the answer. A lot more housing needs to be built. Many thanks for your positive words!
I lived in this area back in the noughties and it was facinating to watch the changes..moved to Dundrum but am now planning to sell up and move back in the near future..hopefully!
That's interesting to hear. When I was at Trinity I went for walks down along the river it was a scene of dereliction then. Many thanks for commenting and good luck on the move.
I love to see old contaminated derelict sites being regenerated. You make an excellent point "Retaining the old side-by-side with the new gives the area character and reminds us of its former use."
Thanks, as a writer I am glad to hear I’ve found the right choice of words! In Salford Quays, virtually none of the older dockside buildings remain. That’s another video I hope to do soon
Brilliant job Dublin, kept its soul, great developments an example for others all over the world to follow. Great video as well !
That's a much more positive appraisal than many I've read. I personally like the Docklands district. I remember it when it was a polluted wasteland - the transformation has been remarkable!
The graffiti covered building in Grand Canal Dock is U2s current recording studio..they've recorded there since the 1990s
That's their current studio? Hanover Quay Studios? But it looks derelict. Do you know when was the last time they recorded there? The 'new' Windmill Lane studios are not too far away on Ringsend Road
@@AidanEyewitness They still use it I think..they bought it back from the docklands authority in 2014..just google u2 Hanover Quay..
It has a lot of original builts and adapting style without losing look for its purpose is impressive
Many thanks for your positive comment about the Dublin Docklands architecture. Some people are not so keen on it.
very informative, thank you .
Now regarding the height of buildings or skyscrapers, they are designed upward on the American ground due to a lack of vital space in the cities. They cannot buy acres of land in the CBD, that is why office buildings are piled up in the remaining spaces for a work space in the city without spending too much in buying plots. Once a promoter has a plot, he makes money selling spaces in the sky.
Also the need for more work space or apartments is proportionate to the number of the potential residents and employees. they cannot buy acres of land in the CBD, that is why office buildings are piled up to answer the needs. I like Dublin the way it is.
Also too tall buildings would block the sun. And we need to welcome the sun in Dublin in any corners of her streets.
Manchester is bigger and linked to London for business, so they compete physically.
Also, the nature of the soil makes the difference. Too soft sandy a soil cannot hold high and heavy towers which need stable grounds.
To finish, Eire is the Emerald Isle with its own rural roots and it would be too aggressive to invade Dublin with fierce architecture. This present choice goes better with the humankindness of its people, human sized constructions go better with the Irishness of the place with nice people in its heart.
That's a very thought-provoking and well written comment. CBD = central business district. The earlier part would apply to New York then you apply it to Dublin. You're making a fair point, but I think Irishness is changing. That's another topic!
Cork is in the early stages of developing its docklands and is taking a similar approach as Dublin with incorporating old buildings into new. Main examples include Penrose Quay, Navigation Square, Horgans Quay and the Brewery Quarter. Most interesting is the planned custom house building which will be one of the tallest buildings in Ireland and will incorporate the old custom house and warehouse buildings.
Many many thanks for this, very informative. I visited Cork for a day a couple of years ago. I was impressed with the city. I saw the Elysian from a distance. I wasn't making TH-cam videos at the time. I hope to return and do a video from Cork once those projects are under way.
There are plans for taller buildings in Dublin. Buildings near 100m have permission at the moment and a few more around 70 meters.
Theres a big war between developer's and the city council for taller buildings up to 150m but thats a few years off.
Taller buildings 90 to 100m will exist though soon.
Dublin definitely needs a few clusters of taller but it doesn't need to pollute the city with them like Manchester has in my opinion. A few well places 100 to 150 meter buildings is all that's needed.
One thing I'm very pleased with in Dublin is as you said, the preservation of old architecture. There's almost always attempted to incorporate some aspects of old architecture rather than fully demolish when possible
That’s interesting I remember a few years ago there was discussion about tall buildings in the Docklands area but then they failed to appear. Vienna and Paris are examples where the tall buildings are located outside the centre. In Dublin that means the Docklands area. Many thanks for the comment.
Love this Aidan, thanks for sharing
Many thanks for the positive feedback!
A very thoughtful video.
Many thanks. A lot of thought went into it! :)
Interesting video well made buildings you don't have to have huge buildings for them to be nice Dublin looks well worth a visit
I think that's true but I believe taller buildings are on the way, still not as tall as New York or Chicago. Dublin is a fascinating city and well worth a visit but make sure you have plenty of money available!
Its mordenised with taste and very original designs 😊
Thanks very much, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre is definitely original!
Interesting selection of buildings in Dublin.
Would like to see a similar video of Belfast
Yes I am looking to visit Belfast soon and there are some tall buildings there. Many thanks.
Excellent video. I suggest you travel to historical cities like Cork, Galway, Belfast, etc. Yiu would be in your element
Go raibh míle maith agat for your great comment and your positive feedback. I have gone on day trips to Cork and Belfast. That was before I started the AidanEyewitness TH-cam channel. I hope to visit Galway soon, also Derry and Kilkenny. I currently have one other video on the channel about Dublin. It's about the bridges of Dublin. It has not done very well in terms of views. The audience don't seem to be very interested in traditional architecture. They prefer modern architecture, so I that's what think I will focus on mainly, that's my niche. I would be very grateful if you could watch and comment on my Dublin Bridges video which you'll find here: th-cam.com/video/KlqMjK2w2us/w-d-xo.html
It looks nothing like i remember well improved😊
When I was a student at TCD, the area was derelict and polluted. Today it is completely transformed.
Dublin would have the skycrapers that were planned a few years ago but dublin city council will not allow them as they think Dublin is a beautiful city
Wll the question is, can Dublin still be a beautiful city with skyscrapers, I think it can but better to locate them in the Docklands area. I think taller buildings will come soon.
I really enjoyed your video and found it informative. As a Dubliner I am anxious that the human scale and low skyline is preserved. I shall go over your video a few more times,great stuff
That's great to hear. I've visited Dublin since I was a child and spent term times over a period of four years when I was at TCD. I'm fascinated with Dublin and one of the things I love about it is how it has preserved a sense of the past. The low skyline should definitely be preserved, though some moderately tall buildings in the Docklands would be okay.
Very interesting video. I don't completely agree with your architect friend that form should always follow function. If that were the standard, then the high-rise council flats that blight the skylines of many cities would be de rigueur. The ideal would be buildings are both functional and beautiful, or at a minimum, visually interesting. I think the Bord Gais Energy Theatre is visually interesting and so better than a completely functional alternative. Are the old facades that are being incorporated into new Dublin Docklands buildings functional? I doubt it. I think that it would be cheaper and result in less maintenance to just knock them down and make a completely new building. However, they really add to the character and attractiveness of the area.
Great video. On what your architect friend said: I think that the bord gaise theatre works because it's function is within the arts, and architecture being within the arts should be allowed to express artistic forms when the function of the building is artistic, so in a way the form does actually follow the function of what it's purpose is.
Many thanks for the positive feedback. That is a very valid point. You wouldn’t choose a design like this for a firm of solicitors! I really like the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, though I haven’t been inside.
@@AidanEyewitness Exactly! I think he is right about architecture, but on specific buildings like this where a performing theatre is the function I think it should be a little excuse for architects to express there own artistic forms.
I might be biased in my own viewpoint :)
@@baileysarsfield4375 No, I think you’re absolutely right!
Daniel Libeskind also designed the Imperial War Museum in Trafford Park
That’s true. I should have mentioned that but you’ve mentioned it and that’s fine. That’s what the comments are for! Many thanks!
You should visit Limerick city and see its docklands, it has much nicer towers than Dublin's buildings, including the river point office tower and Ireland's tallest hotel on the Shannon rive cheers
I visited Limerick in 2017, three years before starting this channel. I didn’t go to the docklands area but I definitely will next time I am over there. I went to the main tourist areas, the castle, O’Connell Avenue, the park. It’s changed a bit since I used to travel through there on the bus with my parents on our way to their home town of Abbeyfeale in the 60s and 70s!
@@AidanEyewitness Oh, really that's super cool, dude? Hey, if ya type in (Limerick City Drone) you'll see the River-point tower and the Clayton hotel, there's this guy who does some stunning footage of them on his drone. cheers mate
@@AidanEyewitness Or just type in (Limerick city view from drone) cheers fella.
Some great buildings here, not like Manchester with their very unimaginative square blocks. We need buildings that wow doubt we will get any
Interesting that you find the buildings better than in Manchester. Did you want to finish the comment with ‘time soon’?
an bord pleanala the Irish planning group have cancelled so many amazing planned buildings in Dublin without any real reasons mostly hieght restrictions which does not happen in most cities a real shame really!
Well that’s very interesting. I’d like to see some of these designs that were rejected by An Bord Pleanála and the exact reasons why? I know they rejected a plan for a new fatter and taller Liberty Hall tower, but I agreed with that decision. Is any information available online? Many thanks for flagging this up. :)
Very interesting video, thanks for making it.
Dublin does integrate the old and the new quite well, the planners here dont let developers knock old buildings unless truly necessary. The planner also though are the reason why even 'tall' buildings are not that tall. This is slowly changing and current construction has a couple of 40 storey buildings on the way. But the low rise policy of planners for the last few decades has resulted in vast urban sprawl which has had a negative effect on peoples quality of life as they spend many hours a day commuting in and out of the city.
On the new Central Bank I am not a fan of its gold cladding, it is very brash and almost tacky. Its design was done back during the economic boom when bankers had lost the run of themselves and it shows in that building. Im also not a fan of the Capital Dock building, I find it very unambitous and bland and it smacks of a developer trying to save costs when building during a recession. For such a landmark corner site where the canal meets the river and faces out to Dublin bay it really deserved a landmark building but Capital Dock is not that.
On the Calatrava designed bridge I like it, especially the way the cable stays are like a harps strings. It lights up different colours at night time and they use the lights to create peoples faces on the cable stays which is pretty cool. There is another Calatrava designed bridge called the James Joyce bridge close to Heuston train station, you should check it out whenever you get back here again.
Finally this shows a 2006 plan by a political party for the Docklands. Sadly it never happened due to the economic crash but I would like to see it like this with a proper cluster of high rises irishelectionliterature.com/2011/11/29/from-2006-a-new-heart-for-dublin-progressive-democrat-proposals-for-a-new-high-rise-quarter-where-dublin-port-was-with-great-pics/
Yes, Dublin has expanded massively since I was at Trinity College Dublin. . What used to be fields and open countryside is now built on. I think others concur wit your appraisal of Capital Dock. The Calatrava Bridge is great. I featured the other one in my video (sadly under-viewed!) about Dublin's bridges. I'll take a look at the plan. I remember those plans being talked about at the time. Many thanks for your great comment. You are resident in Dublin? Are you from Dublin originally? I'd be interested in getting your feedback on my Dublin Bridges video th-cam.com/video/KlqMjK2w2us/w-d-xo.html
I think One World Trade Center claiming a height of 1776 feet is a bit of a cheat. I think that a building's official height should be its roof height or architectural top. As you say, I don't think you need to be really high up to have a great view. I'd argue that the best views in a city like New York, are from rooftop terraces where you can view the skyline head-on.
Yes I agree. At the top of a very tall building it’s like being in a plane - I love that view too but it’s nice to be a good distance above the roofline, you have a much clearer view if the city. Not sure about the 1776 feet but builders of tall buildings have always used tricks and cheats to try and outdo the competitors!
I think Ireland got it spot on ... creating new with the old ... its a shame others didn't do the same....a lot of history have left other countries by just been demolished
It's good that in recent years they have tried to save more of the old, but that hasn't always been the case. In the 1960s they knocked down a row of Georgian terraced houses on Fitzwilliam Street to build the modern ESB office, which have since been demolished. The old facades were not rebuilt - as they should have been. Instead they have created an "interpretation" of the Georgian terraces. A golden opportunity was missed. Must do a feature on that!
now in wikipedia Ireland gdp per capita 101.000 euros man
Yes, the wealth is astonishing but not everyone is benefiting.
Are you gonna do Limerick
Yes definitely. Actually I visited Limerick before I started doing AidanEyewitness and took some photos, but I need to go back. Leave it with me!
@@AidanEyewitness cool I'd love to see you talk about the future opera site currently under construction
@@thegaelicgladiator665 That sounds just up my street! In the meantime I’m planning go do a TH-cam short on Limerick using the photos I took. My parents came from Abbeyfeale Co Limerick so I passed through it many times!
@@AidanEyewitness Abbeyfeale is a lovely town
Been there before and Newcastle West is nice too
@@thegaelicgladiator665 Yes, both very nice towns. Following your enquiry, I've done a short video using my photos of Limerick taken when I visited nearly 3 years ago. Please comment on the video, if you can. Many thanks! th-cam.com/users/shorts71oi3tr9324?feature=share
Sorry to say but i dont think the architecture of the newer buildings in dublin works and too often, older buildings are knocked down.
And this doesnt just happen in dublin, but throughout Ireland.
Thanks for your comment. This channel exists to give people an opportunity express their views - in a respectful way as you have done, not like a few commenters! Thanks for watching!
Dublin is running out of space..there should be some taller more striking buildings in the Docklands..
There are still a few vacant plots of land, like the triangular spit of land at the east end of Hanover Dock, but not many more as far as I can see.
The Epic Museum is based on Irish Immigrants. Those who were successful and found fame. Nothing really to do with the Irish Famine.
Hmmm on the website home page, the title is EPIC Irish famine museum but on the page itself it’s Emigration museum. Famine is in the title anyway. Haven’t visited yet. Many thanks!
Dublin has some nice modern buildings, and some old, but some of these modern ones are ugly. Especially some of the ones I've seen in this video.
I think the mix of old and new looks strange. Some looks good, though.
Many thanks for sharing your impressions. Dublin city centre still has mostly old buildings unlike British cities that were bombed in the war.
I dont like tall buildings and thats why I like dublin because its more human scaled and theres no tall buildings overbearing people. Dublin has a problem where they build high rise apartments in the suburbs, especially suburbs outside the m50 (22 stories in the suburb of carrickmines) while in the city centre its quite low. I prefer a max of 4 stories. Dublin does not need high rise
And I also quite like how near the city centre you can find 1 story cottages. I like that. It makes the area feel cosy and less claustrophobic
Thanks for your very, very interesting comment. You like low-rise - that's very different from many comments on previous videos about Manchester. I know what you mean. Personally, I like tall buildings but I find they can also be intimidating and overbearing. I must go and have a look at the ones in Carrickmines. Many thanks! :)
Yes, I know exactly what you mean - those one storey terraced houses are unique to Dublin. There are lots of them close to the city centre in Fairview and around Havelock Square next to the Aviva Stadium. There are no houses like that in Manchester, Liverpool or London. www.google.com/maps/@53.336262,-6.2293632,3a,75y,155.1h,89.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDJZe5RB8kA26ImgjfXNHnQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Dublin sure do build awful tall buildings.. That capital dock looks awful & exo is no better..
I don't think you're the only one of that opinion! I'd be interested to know which buildings you like. :)
Born and raised in Dublin, and never understood why irish people are so afraid of highrise buildings
I think Dublin is still a city with a very strong heritage and link with the past. I think they are right to be careful in the city is planned. I think tall buildings would be great in the Docklands area but not next to Merrion Square. Many thanks!
Shoe box after shoe box!
Bland and boring!
No height, looks like your average business park in the suburbs. Sandyford business park in south Dublin is more interesting!!
I have made a note, I will go and see Sandyford Business Park and take a look. Many thanks!
Capitol Dock is a very boring looking building..
I don't think it's going to win any architectural awards. The planned skyscraper with the U2 studio hanging in a pod at the top would have been more... interesting!
I just stayed there... its a boring and ugly looking area.
Sorry to hear that, but thanks for sharing your opinion.