Bord Gáis Networks – National Distribution Control Building Competition

The RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) is administering a competition on behalf of the competition promoters, Bord Gáis Networks (BGN). This is an open, two stage competition for the architectural design of a new Bord Gáis Networks Distribution Control Centre at Dubber Cross, Finglas, Dublin.

Bord Gáis Networks (BGN), a division of Bord Gáis, is responsible for the maintenance and operations of the gas network in Ireland. The services provided include safety and emergency response, pipeline service laying and modification, and meter installations and alterations.

It is the intention of BGN to vacate existing leased premises and to move to a new, well designed building at the Dubber Cross site to accommodate all the principal functions carried out by the organisation.

The design for the new offices will be required to address a number of issues particular to this project. These are as follows:

• The building should reflect BGN’s commitment to environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainable development
• The building should take into account the services carried out by BGN
• The building should allow for a degree of flexibility of use in its internal planning.
• The site layout and design should have regard to the adjoining Charlestown development.
• The building should sit in harmony within its physical context.
• Particular attention should be paid to the design of screening to car park areas.

The target construction budget for the project is €17,500,000 (seventeen and a half million Euro) exclusive of VAT and professional fees.

The competition site has an area of approximately 3.2 acres (1.3 hectares) and is located on St. Margaret’s Road, c.1km from Finglas Village. St. Margaret’s Road branches off the North Road to the east and provides access to a number of business and industrial parks.

Eligibility

The competition is open to architects holding a qualification listed in the E.C. Architects Directive 85/384/EEC or equivalent.

In the case of architects eligibility is defined as: Equivalent means a person holding a qualification equivalent to a qualification for the purposes of the European Union Directive 85/384/EEC (Architects Directive). Persons outside the EU/EEA area should include evidence confirmation of registration with a national registration body and/or a UIA recognised professional organisation.

It is the function of the Registrar to decide on eligibility and equivalence.

An entry may be submitted by an architectural practice. In this case the name and address should be given and the official entry form signed by a partner. In this context the practice is defined as; a partnership properly established for the purpose of an architectural competition or an association of architects for the purpose of entering a competition.

Jury

• John Barry Managing Director of Networks, Bord Gáis
• Maurice Scully Business Regulation and Planning Manager, Bord Gáis
• Kevin O’Rourke Head of Built Environment, Sustainable Energy Ireland
• Niall McCullough Architect, McCullough Mulvin Architects
• Louise Cotter Architect, Carr Cotter & Naessens Architects

Prize Fund

Each short listed competitor invited to participate in Stage 2 of the competition will be paid an honorarium of €25,000 for a valid Stage 2 submission.

Competition Programme

Stage 1

• Competition Registration Opens: 2 May 2008
• Withdrawal of Registration and refund of fee: 16 May 2008
• Stage 1 Questions Deadline: 23 May 2008
• Stage 1 Answers Circulated: 6 June 2008
• Stage 1 Registration Deadline: 20 June 2008
• Stage 1 Submission Deadline: 27 June 2008
• Stage One Assessment: July 2008

Stage 2

Stage Two Opens: July 2008

How to Register

The Registration Form is available in the Competition section of the RIAI website www.riai.ie

Download and complete the registration form including payment / payment details of €121.00 registration fee (inclusive of VAT at 21%). Registration forms are accepted via email, fax or post. Email: [email protected] Fax: 00353 1 6610948 or Bord Gáis Networks Building Competition, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

A registered competitor may withdraw a registration on or before Friday 16 May 2008 and will be entitled to a refund of the registration fee. After that date no other refunds can be made in any circumstances whether a valid entry is submitted or not.

Once we have received a completed registration form with payment, a username and password will be emailed to you. The username and password will allow you to download the competition brief from the RIAI website www.riai.ie

Enquiries contact

Karina O’Neill, Competitions Officer, RIAI, 8 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland

Email: [email protected] Tel: +353 1 669 1480 Fax: +353 1 661 0948