mcmullough mulvin architects: the long room hub

'the long room hub' by mccullough mulvin architects, trinity college, dublin, ireland
images courtesy of mccullough mulvin architects


irish practice mccullough mulvin architects has completed 'the long room hub', a new humanities research building at the
historical trinity college in dublin, ireland. the structure - classically derived and simple in its approach - is the latest to be 
completed by the studio in an ongoing effort undertaken by the school to achieve world-class status. 

positioned at the north end of fellows square, the hub looks to become an icon, physically and experientially connecting the 
diverse and widespread allocation of buildings across the campus as a whole. responding to the architecturally relevant 
structures that surround it, the facility features a contrasting surface of positive and negative voids, which frame and reflect
the encircling built environment. based on a modified fibonacci sequence, the stone-clad facade adds depth and interest to 
the otherwise solid four storey structure. 



front facade from across sqaure


walnut-lined interior spaces, each unique in size and shape, develop a progression of warm and encompassing areas that can
accommodate a range of programs and people. while the building houses research facilities for post-doctoral students, 
offices for visiting international fellows, seminar rooms and lecture spaces, it was initially designed to meet the needs of a 
team working on the digestion of the library's collection of manuscripts and early printed works. 



front facade


glazed light wells pierce through the internal volume, introducing light into the core of the cavernous unit. passing through 
double height spaces and communal areas, the columns establish a sense of spatial and social connections, both on the inside
of the structure, and the outside.



entrance with view of fellows square



side elevation



interior spaces with view over fellows square



library 



(left) multi-height volume
(right) lightwells pass through the structure



light wells and windows outwards



surrounded by a series of historical structures 



site plan



site plan



site plan



floor plan / level 0



elevations



section