Maynooth University (TSI) Building

The Technology, Society and Innovation (TSI) Building, Maynooth University’s landmark infrastructural development, is designed to enhance the University’s excellence in research, education and skills development for future generations. The new TSI building forms an entirely new building edge to the campus along Kilcock Road, creating a striking four storey block and a roofline that ascends boldly, signaling the approach to the campus and to the town. The building sits proudly at the intersection of the new super crossing, which enables safe pedestrian movement between the north and south campus. A generous public space was created outside the main entrance, allowing space for students and the community to come together.

This high-tech hub provides 10,554m2 of teaching, learning and academic workplace including: living labs and break out rooms for interactive research; three large theatres of 500, 300 and 250-seat capacity, and research spaces for students, academics and collaboration with industry partners. It also includes a spacious outdoor plaza, artfully designed for gatherings, cultural activities, events and creative performances.

The number of students has reached 15,000 this year, up from 4,000 when Maynooth was established as an independent institution in 1997. This latest development of Maynooth’s north campus will help it meet the needs of its growing student population. The teaching spaces deliver a high quality learning environment, enabling new modes of teaching for the University.

Building details
The façade of the main entrance has been designed to accommodate a plant equipment area at roof level concealed behind a raking parapet wall, creating the illusion of a taller building, while giving the building a presence at the interface with University Avenue, as an important counterpoint to the library opposite.

The three lecture theatres, which by their nature require column-free spans, have been deliberately located outside of the main building block allowing for a simple concrete frame for the main block and steel frame for the theatres. This also allows for a degree of flexibility in locating the theatres relative to one another and to the main block. The lecture theatres have been designed to be accessible from ground and first floor and are located above ground (with no requirement for deep basement excavations).

Offices are located on the upper floors with open plan typically to the South edge and cellular to the North. The depth of the block (15-16m) enables a predominantly naturally ventilated building. The generous double height entrance foyer acts as a collaboration space for the large building population. This space will be used for pop ups and community events, creating a much-needed focal point in the University and wider community. The facility creates a new sheltered landscaped courtyard to the north enclosed by the Science Building.

We are considerate constructors and Maynooth University Academic Building was a registered site with the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

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