“The Future Campus project is intended to create a stronger physical presence and identity for the University within Dublin,” according to the official press release from the university. The first stage of the competition attracted 98 teams from 28 countries. The shortlisted teams will have 10 weeks to create an urban design vision and concept design for a new Center for Creative Design on campus.

The teams include:

• Diller Scofidio + Renfro with Sasaki, Scott Tallon Walker Architects, GROSS. MAX., Atelier Ten, Arup, IN2 Engineering Design Partnership and Linesight
• John Ronan Architects with Arup, CLUAA, Michael Boucher Landscape Architecture and Transsolar
• O’Donnell + Tuomey with Allies and Morrison, Arup, Hargreaves Associates, Superposition, Plattenbau Studio, Phil Jones Associates, Max Fordham and MLM Group
• Steven Holl Architects with Brightspot Strategy, Arup, HarrisonStevens and Transsolar
• Studio Libeskind with BDP, !melk, NRB and Dcon
• UNStudio with Arup and REDscape Landscape & Urbanism

Read more about the project in Architect Magazine.

The press release from Malcolm Reading Consultants has been reproduced below. 

University College Dublin and Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) revealed today [19 April 2018] the six shortlisted teams in the Future Campus – University College Dublin International Design Competition.

The teams were the unanimous choice of a selection panel that was chaired by the competition jury chair Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President of University College Dublin. The shortlist was expanded from the expected five to six in recognition of the outstanding response from the international design community. The finalist teams won their places on the basis of submissions scored on relevant experience and team composition.

The six teams (in alphabetical order) are:

• Diller Scofidio + Renfro (US)
• John Ronan Architects (US)
• O’Donnell + Tuomey (Ireland)
• Steven Holl Architects (US)
• Studio Libeskind (US)
• UNStudio (Netherlands)

The first stage of the competition attracted 98 teams from 28 countries.

The finalist teams now have around 10 weeks before the competition’s second stage hand-in to draw up an urban design vision that foregrounds a highly-visible and welcoming entrance precinct and create a concept design for a charismatic yet integrated new 8,000 sqm building that expresses the University’s creativity: the circa €48m Centre for Creative Design. The Future Campus project is intended to create a stronger physical presence and identity for the University within Dublin. The jury will assess the final submissions and interview the teams in the summer.

Professor of Architecture at University College Dublin, Hugh Campbell, said:

“It is unprecedented to have a field of such calibre; with major internationally-renowned figures in architecture on the shortlist.”

Professor Andrew J. Deeks, President of University College Dublin and competition jury chair, said:

“We are interested in the outstanding.

“In holding this competition, we are seeking a design that will become an icon for the University – representing our vision to create something extraordinary and brilliant.

“The competition affords us a rare moment, to transform the campus in a way that promotes a strong sense of community and inspires students and faculty, visitors and local innovators to explore new ways of learning and thinking.”

Malcolm Reading, Competition Director, said:

“The competition was very successful in drawing a global response, as well as one that was distinguished by high quality, thoughtful submissions.

“We appreciate the effort that competitors made and it was a privilege to receive so many good submissions. What linked the teams that rose to the top of the list was their confidence with the scale of the project; they convinced us through their submissions that they had the flair to create something exceptional. 

“The leading universities now compete across national boundaries, and University College Dublin has shown great imagination and initiative in searching globally for an outstanding design team. 

“We look forward to seeing the teams’ masterplans and concept designs and will publish these online in the summer.”

A site visit for the finalists will take place later this month; each finalist team will receive an honorarium of €40,000 for their work and international teams are required to team up with a local executive team for the second stage.

Known as Ireland’s Global University, University College Dublin (UCD) is the country’s largest and most internationally-engaged higher education body, the destination of choice for international students coming to Ireland. It is also the most popular choice for Irish students seeking a university place in their home country.

Founded as an independent university 160 years ago by the visionary John Henry Newman, UCD has been a vital and influential force in shaping modern Ireland, both politically and culturally. UCD’s ability to foster creativity and expressiveness is reflected by alumni including the 20th century’s outstanding author, James Joyce; film maker Gabriel Byrne; and comedian Dara Ó Briain; as well as many successful architects and designers.

The competition winner announcement is anticipated to be in August 2018.

For further updates please visit the competition website at competitions.malcolmreading.com/universitycollegedublin/news