Date: Friday 12 September 2025

Meeting points:

09:30am - Dún Laoghaire LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre

14:00 – Redevelopment of the ESB Headquarters by Grafton Architects, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin, D02 KT92, Ireland

17:00 - Doheny & Nesbitt Pub

To continue RIBA Europe’s mission to promote architecture, support architects and enhance its presence across the continent, we are pleased to announce the next event in our series, which began in Paris and has been extended to Milan, Madrid, Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Venice.

This time, the event will take place in Dublin over two days, 12th-13th September, and we would like to invite you to join us for for workshops, building tours, some engaging presentations, discussions and networking.

Please note, that you can register for both or just one of the 2 days of the event.

Tickets for day 2 can be found here.

Agenda

Day 1 Friday, 12 September 2025

09:30-12:30 - Dún Laoghaire LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre

Queen's Rd, Dún Laoghaire

Registration, introductions and workshop in the Lexicon Library. There will be a guided tour of the building and a walking tour in the surrounding area to include the East Pier, The Baths and the Forty Foot and James Joyces Martello Tower.

Dún Laoghaire LexIcon Library and Cultural Centre has won both the Overall Excellence Award and the Sustainability Award in the 2015 Schueco Excellence Awards. The winning building, designed by Carr Cotter Naessens Architects, was described by the judging panel as “a beautifully made, beautifully crafted building that looks like it’ll be here for a long time. An excellent piece of architecture.” DLR LexIcon was initially met with resistance from the public.

The 2015 judging panel comprised: Hugh Pearman (chairman; editor of RIBA Journal and architecture critic for The Sunday Times); Paul Monaghan (director of Allford Hall Monaghan Morris); Joanna Bacon (managing partner of Allies and Morrison) and José Hernàndes-Gil (associate at Duggan Morris).

12:30 - 13:30 Lunch break

13:30 – 14:00 Dart Train from Dún Laoghaire to Dublin City

14:00-16:45 Redevelopment of the ESB Headquarters by Grafton Architects, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin, D02 KT92, Ireland

The Georgian mile is an unofficial term used to describe a continuous, near mile-long thoroughfare largely lined with Georgian houses. It comprises Fitzwilliam Place, Fitzwilliam Sq. and Merrion Sq. and was built between the 1780s and the 1830s.

In 1965 the ESB (Electricity Supply Board) tumbled 16 of the Georgian houses to build a new Headquarters. The result was a very poor modernist building that few enjoyed. In 2013 Grafton Architects were commissioned to replace the brutalist building with new offices.

Their re-interpretation of the street facade is appreciated by many and has been described as a chameleon like building hiding in plain view amongst the georgian houses. (AJ)

17:00-19:00 Doheny & Nesbitt Pub

Join us for a drink or pint, where you can unwind and enjoy a selection of drinks. This relaxed setting offers the perfect opportunity to network with fellow guests, exchange ideas, and make new connections in a casual, welcoming environment.

To avoid disappointment, please complete all registrations by Monday 1 September 2025.

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RIBA Europe Event - Dublin Day 1