'Let me come inland always', a poem by Mary Lavin, performed by Cathy Belton
We use our buildings and spaces as a canvas for art, design and creativity. This improves the accessibility to public art, and it allows us to partner with local artists to explore the intersection of the urban landscape and the creative industries.
Mary Lavin was one of the most influential Irish female writers of her generation. As a centrepiece to the entire estate, IPUT will recognise the contribution of Mary Lavin by naming the new public square as Mary Lavin Place.
To mark the naming we commissioned Mary’s granddaughter, Kathleen MacMahon, to write an essay about the significance of her grandmother.
We’re proud to be a supporter of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA), which promotes Irish artists, and art in the community. We fund a schools’ arts initiative as well as exhibitions and events. Through our work with the RHA, we have also commissioned artists to produce work such as Leah Hewson’s work Abiding Traces for the Tropical Fruit Warehouse hoarding.
In partnership with the Royal Hibernian Academy, we began a new Artist in Residence Programme at Wilton Park Studios, Dublin 2. This initiative provides support and crucial studio space for up and coming Irish artists.
As part of our placemaking strategy, and with the support of the RHA, we present Eilis O’Connell RHA, Six Works – an Augmented Reality Exhibition at Wilton Park. This interactive experience allows visitors to use their smart devices to see sculpture works come to life virtually throughout Wilton Park. This exhibition is ongoing.
IPUT is lead sponsor of this annual international design symposium at the Joseph Walsh Studios in Cork. The event attracts 400 people who convene to hear an international perspective on architecture, art, design and craft. Speakers in 2019 included architect Charles Renfro of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, whose work includes New York projects The High Line and buildings at Hudson’s Yard, as well as Sheila Loewe, head of the Loewe Foundation.
We are a patron of the Irish Arts Review, Ireland’s leading art and design publication. Our support of this publication reflects the importance we place on our work in the city’s urban landscape being interconnected with debate around art, culture and architecture in the country.
We are a patron of the Graphic Studio Gallery, a 60-year-old print works. The non-profit gallery works works with major figures in Irish art to participate in limited print runs, supporting the craft of printmaking in Dublin. We commissioned a limited print run from Leah Hewson, one of our Artist in Residences, and have commissioned leading Irish writer Colm Tóibín to collaborate on a portfolio of work for the studio in 2020.
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IPUT works closely with the Dublin Simon Community in supporting its property development department with implementing best in class policy and procedures across the reporting and governance of its capital projects programme. The largest and most significant project being undertaken by the Dublin Simon Community is the medical treatment facility at Ushers Island. This €30 million project is due to be completed in 2022 and will provide 100 beds for homeless people requiring addiction support. The IPUT Development team is providing ongoing project management advice for this project.
The foundation of an "IPUT Building” is excellence in design. We have a strong design ethos, and invest accordingly. Properties need to be of the highest quality to reach their full potential, so we commission leading architects, designers and artists, enabling us to provide the highest standard of space and experience for our occupiers.
Our development at the Tropical Fruit Warehouse pushes the limits of architectural and engineering innovation, adding two floating, fully glazed office floors to the original warehouse building, which will cantilever over the protected structure, offering panoramic views over the River Liffey. The design by Henry J Lyons Architects will deliver over 80,000 sq ft of contemporary space which is respectful of its rich architectural heritage.
For 10 Molesworth, we sought out the right artisan craftspeople to ensure the building materials reflected the rhythm of the street. This included sourcing travertine stone from a sixth-generation Italian family business, and the building's distinctive red brick from Coleford Brick & Tile a family-owned business established in 1925 in Gloucester, UK.
We believe attention to detail in design is a mark of quality. At 5 & 6 Earlsfort Terrace, an art wall and our bespoke reception desk draw inspiration from the angle of the building’s elevation at its lower levels. The wall features brass inlays precisely laser cut by into Portuguese Azul Atlantico limestone by specialist craftsmen in Italy.
We know good quality design does not have to be compromised to meet our exacting standards for sustainable buildings. At 40 Molesworth Street, the high-performance curtain walling system was finished in a distinctive land-laid Petersen brick that suited the prestige of its surroundings. This was just one of the specialist features that earned the building a LEED Gold rating.
We see investments in public realm as an integral part of our strategy. We want to contribute positively to the communities around our buildings as we improve the overall experience for our occupiers.
As part of our commitment to public art, we commissioned leading Irish sculptor Eilis O’Connell to produce two pieces of work at 10 Molesworth Street. Unfurl is a major patinated bronze sculpture that sits in the building’s courtyard. The entrance to the building is adorned by Night Gates, an intricately designed set of sliding gates featuring a series of large organic leaf shapes.
At 5&6 Earlsfort Terrace, in the heart of Dublin’s business district, we created a new urban garden designed by award-winning landscape architect Robert Townshend. With views across to the iconic National Concert Hall, the garden’s sustainable urban landscaping and reflective water feature provide a tranquil public place for occupiers and visitors alike.
In 2019, we reinvigorated Wilton Park with enhanced essential amenities such as new benches and bins, and ensured public access by keeping it open in line with other parks in the city. The park has also been the venue for local community events such as the interactive exhibition Eilis O’Connell RHA, Six Works – an Augmented Reality Exhibition at Wilton Park.
As part of our developments on Molesworth Street, we invested in a programme of improvements to enhance the local area. We planted 17 Honey Locust trees, which create a natural canopy that allows sunlight to penetrate through its loose, light foliage. We also laid granite paving and widened the footpaths adjacent to our development.
