JJ Rhatigan has announced a partnership with TU Dublin to develop Design + Construct, Ireland’s first Centre of Excellence in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) education and research. Upon completion, Design + Construct will be located in Broombridge in Dublin 7, easily accessed by students via the Luas Green Line and connecting the facility to the University’s Bolton Street and Grangegorman campuses. In recent weeks, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris T.D. also announced that Design + Construct would progress to the next phase of the project proposal development.
Building on over a century of providing educational and training programmes in AEC, TU Dublin will retrofit a building in Broombridge to build capacity for core academic activities, creating a variety of teaching and applied learning spaces to support a living AEC laboratory with students, from apprenticeship to PhD, engaged in all aspects of the design and construction process. Focusing on applied learning, research and enterprise, the space will bring together students and staff from the built environment, engineering and design disciplines, including architecture, architectural technology, building trades, building services engineering, structural engineering, product, interior and furniture design.
Bolstering TU Dublin’s relationship with the leading construction company, in December 2022, Minister Harris also announced that JJ Rhatigan & Company would be the main construction contractor in the Enbarr Partnership, delivering two state-of-the-art educational facilities on the University’s Blanchardstown and Tallaght campuses under the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme. These new developments will enhance the learning and working environment where the University’s community can explore, develop, expand their abilities, and reach their full potential.
Speaking about the company’s involvement, JJ Rhatigan Chief Executive, Ger Ronayne said, “Supporting the education and training of the next generation of talent is not only a responsibility, but also an investment in the future of our industry. We are proud to support the Design + Construct team in their efforts to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in a contemporary construction industry. By working together, we can ensure a strong and sustainable future for our industry and our community.”
Welcoming JJ Rhatigan’s generous support of Design + Construct, Orna Hanly, Head of Design + Construct Project at TU Dublin, said, “With JJ Rhatigan’s support TU Dublin will deliver a world-class transdisciplinary learning, research and industry engagement environment for students across the faculties of Engineering & Built Environment, Arts & Humanities, Science and Digital and Data. This is an opportunity to develop new areas of growth for the design and construction sector, as well as integrated educational opportunities for students from apprentices to PhD in sustainable design, digital, construction, integrated energy systems, whole life building performance, smart building, and more.”
