Ecocem GGBS
10,500 tonnes of CO2
The Convention Centre is the world first carbon neutral convention venue. This was achieved by using cutting edge mechanical systems, inclusion of GGBS in construction and the use of off-site renewable energy to power the building.
One of the most important aspects to the construction of the Convention Centre is its 100-year design life with major replaceable features such as cladding which would have a 40-year life span.
A centre for both national and international exhibitions and conferences with a capacity for over 8,000 people, the building is characterized by its impressive glass frontage that overlooks the River Liffey and houses an auditorium, banquet and exhibition halls, various meeting rooms and back of house facilities.
By incorporating Ecocem into the concrete, over 10,500 tonnes of CO2 were saved during the building’s construction. Providing a strong reminder of the CCDs sustainable ethos, one of the largest meeting rooms is named after Ecocem for supplying the carbon neutral cement for its construction.
The Convention Centre construction was a joint venture between Treasury Holdings Limited and John Sisk and Sons. These two companies engaged in a Construction Management Partnership as both the design and build contractors.
Work on the centre officially began in 1998 but it wasn’t completed until 2010. 13,000 tonnes of structural steel and 35,000m3 of concrete was used in the construction of this building. GGBS was specified for both the deep foundations and the basement of the centre with 70% GGBS being specified in both areas. A high percentage of GGBS was used to reduce permeability, increase durability and to reduce the likelihood of thermal cracking.
At the time of construction, the convention centre was the largest single GGBS concrete pour in Ireland at 2397 cubic metres in 17 hours.
Designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, the future tower will rise to 220m and will contribute to rebalancing the La Défense skyline.