The EXO Building, designed by Shay Cleary Architects, is Ireland’s tallest commercial office structure and a striking addition to Dublin’s skyline. Rising to 17 stories, the building is more than just a commercial landmark; it is an ambitious structural and urban intervention that responds to the complexities of its location. Situated within the Dublin Docklands and adjacent to the 3Arena, the site operates as a threshold between the historic city fabric and the industrial port. The EXO Building had to navigate the demands of high-density commercial development while engaging with an evolving public realm.
EXO Building Technical Information
- Architects1-20: Shay Cleary Architects
- Location: North Wall Quay, Dublin, Ireland
- Area: 20,784 m2 | 223,700 Sq. Ft.
- Project Year: 2018 – 2022
- Photographs: © Jamie Hackett
Our aspiration was to provide a commercial building with a world-class working environment for potentially 2,000 people, while also addressing significant urban design opportunities, forming a city edge and city marker relating to Point Square, the Port, and the City.
– Shay Cleary Architects
EXO Building Photographs
The EXO Building Structural Innovation
The design emerged from an invited competition in 2014, with the architects tasked to create a prominent commercial office space within the North Docks Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). Beyond simply fulfilling programmatic requirements, the project aimed to define a dynamic urban presence, reinforcing Point Square as a key public space while addressing the site’s infrastructural and historical significance.
At the heart of the EXO Building’s architectural expression is its external exoskeleton, an innovative structural strategy that defines its aesthetic and shapes its functional logic. The exposed mega-trusses flank the building, creating an elevated structural beam, allowing large, uninterrupted floor plates free of interior columns. By positioning the primary structure externally, the design maximizes workspace flexibility while reinforcing the industrial character of the Docklands.
A defining feature of the EXO is its elevated massing, which lifts the building seven meters above ground level, allowing for permeability beneath the structure. This move transforms the building into an active participant in the urban landscape, acting as a permeable filter rather than a spatial barrier. This design strategy enhances movement within Point Square and contributes to the broader dialogue of public-private interfaces in commercial developments.
Integrating three elliptical mega-columns as the primary points of structural support further refines the building’s engineering ambition. These elements carry the truss structure, reducing ground-level obstructions while providing a visually striking architectural identity. The linear configuration of the 20-meter-wide plan ensures that each office floor enjoys panoramic views of the city and port, reinforcing a sense of openness and engagement with Dublin’s urban fabric.
Materiality and Architectural Expression
The EXO Building’s materiality and formal articulation derive from a constructivist approach, drawing direct inspiration from the Docklands’ industrial heritage. The exposed blue trusses reference the iconic gantries and cranes that have long defined Dublin’s maritime character, establishing a meaningful dialogue between past and present. This approach imbues the project with contextual specificity, ensuring that it is deeply embedded in its surroundings rather than an imported architectural statement.
The glazed facade, composed of a unitized panel system with projecting mullions, introduces a rhythmic depth that interacts dynamically with light and perspective. The glass surface becomes a silvered plane from oblique angles, allowing the blue trusses to stand out as the defining visual feature. This interplay between transparency and structure elevates the EXO beyond conventional commercial buildings, transforming it into an urban marker that shifts perception based on vantage points.
Material considerations extend beyond visual impact, incorporating elements that enhance the building’s sustainability and user experience. The 1,000m² landscaped roof garden provides a communal amenity for occupants, offering a retreat within the dense urban fabric. Additionally, the project was the first in Europe to achieve LEED V3 Platinum certification before practical completion, underscoring its commitment to environmental performance and workplace well-being.
Urban Integration and Public Realm Dynamics
One of the most compelling aspects of the EXO Building is its engagement with the public realm. Rather than occupying its site as an isolated object, the building contributes to the evolving fabric of Point Square, reinforcing the area as a multifunctional civic space.
By elevating the massing, the EXO preserves pedestrian permeability, ensuring that movement flows uninterrupted beneath the structure. This approach is particularly significant given the square’s role as a gathering space for up to 13,000 people during events at the 3Arena. The building functions as a workplace and an urban canopy, providing shelter, a meeting point, and a dynamic threshold between the city and the concert venue.
Furthermore, the project was conceived with future adaptability in mind. The potential extension of the Luas light rail system through Point Square was considered in the planning, allowing for seamless integration should the transit network expand. This forward-thinking urban strategy ensures that the EXO remains responsive to Dublin’s evolving infrastructural landscape.
Including a triple-height free-standing glass volume at the northern end of the site further enhances Point Square’s urban character. Designed for future retail or hospitality use, this element complements the main building by fostering additional street-level activity. These architectural decisions solidify the EXO Building’s role as an active agent in shaping the public realm.
EXO Building Plans
EXO Building Image Gallery
About Shay Cleary Architects
Shay Cleary Architects is a Dublin-based architectural practice known for its innovative and contextually responsive designs. Established by Shay Cleary, the firm specializes in contemporary architecture that balances structural ingenuity, urban integration, and environmental sustainability. Their portfolio includes high-profile commercial, residential, and cultural projects, with a focus on creating buildings that engage meaningfully with their surroundings. Notably, they designed the EXO Building, Ireland’s tallest commercial office structure, showcasing their expertise in advanced structural solutions and urban placemaking.
Credits and Additional Notes
Design Architect: Shay Cleary Architects
Executive Architect: Michael Collins & Associates (MCA Architects)
Client: Grant Thornton on behalf of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)
Owner: European Property Investors Special Opportunities IV (EPISO 4) Fund via Tristan Capital Partners
Project Management: Virtus Project Management
Building Height: 73 meters
Site Size: 4,603 m²
Building Levels: 17
Quantity Surveyor: Linesight
Structural Engineer: O’Connor Sutton Cronin (OCSC)
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: O’Connor Sutton Cronin (OCSC)
Landscape Architect: Cameo & Partners
Planning Consultant: Brady Shipman Martin
Main Contractor: Bennett Construction Ltd
Façade Consultant: Murphy Façade Group
Fire Safety Consultant: Michael Slattery Associates
Façade Contractor: Tvitec Ireland
Steel Fabricator: Cimolai
Mechanical Supplier: Jones Engineering
Sustainability Certifications: LEED V3 Platinum (first in Europe to achieve this prior to practical completion)
