The brief was to provide facilities for the members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Irish Parliament. The accommodation includes office suites for 100 T D ‘s (members of parliament) and their staff as well as 4 Parliamentary Committee Rooms, each accommodating up to 70 people.

 

The new building is located adjacent to Leinster House, the 18th century building in the heart of vast precinct of historical buildings that houses the Irish Parliamentary complex and many of the country’s major cultural institutions.

 

The planning strategy evolved as an extension of the principal circulation axis within Leinster House. This north/south spine stretches along the western boundary of the site in the form a glazed Atrium space

 

The historical architectural sensitivity of the location suggested the development of a significant basement accommodation. This took the form of the new Committee Room complex centred around a large roof lit foyer space.

Situated above the committee rooms, the T D’s office suites are accommodated in two blocks of 5 and 6 storey in height, which are located at right angles to, and accessed from the Atrium and overlook the landscaped internal courtyard spaces. 

 

The works included the eventual completion, after 85 years, of the screen wing between Leinster House and the National Library, creating behind it a protected entrance court to the new building.

 

Externally the building is clad in Irish Limestone and an extensively glazed curtain walling system which incorporates terracotta tiles. Elements of the skin and the curved south façade are clad in Portland stone.