The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) is Ireland's world class purpose-built international conference and event venue located in Spencer Dock. The site is a portion of the Spencer Dock Development’s regeneration of the National Railway’s abandoned brownfield rail yard and is bounded by the Royal Canal, North Wall Quay, and Mayor Street.

The current Roche Modern team, working together in their prior formation at Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates, engaged with the client and convention operator to develop a program aimed at attracting both the international and national conference/exhibition markets. The constrained site and resulting program required a vertical stacking arrangement offering 22 multi-functional, flexible rooms suitable for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions of all shapes and sizes---from small corporate meetings to international congresses. There are 48,437 ft² (4,500 m²) of exhibition space, a 2,000-seat auditorium, and banquet facilities seating up to 2,000 guests.

Exterior and interior materials were developed in concert with the client/operator to emphasize the stature of the design, ensure durability, and minimize maintenance while incorporating the latest technology throughout for this important public building, clearly distinguishing it as Ireland’s and all of Europe’s premier Convention Centre.

The Convention Centre’s stunning design includes a unique glass-fronted atrium running the full height of the building which immediately identifies the Centre to visitors. Stairs, escalators, and elevators create an exciting processional moving up through the atrium, enhancing interaction between delegates while providing panoramic views of the River Liffey, Dublin’s city centre, and the Wicklow mountains. The foyers were designed to support a variety of activities beyond circulation: event registration, breakout/discussion spaces, and food/bar service. Temporary exhibitions may be installed within the foyers increasing delegate participation and interest. The lobby and foyers may also serve as venues for informal concerts. The public is encouraged to enter the ground level lobby to experience the atrium, view temporary exhibitions and art exhibits, or review an electronic display of upcoming events.

Our active participation on this project exemplified an ability not only to work with the city of Dublin, the Docklands Authorities, the developer and the client, but also skill in utilizing the vast talent of a team of design/production senior associates at the firm. These associates possess a depth and breadth of knowledge and skills acquired over years of working together sharing a design philosophy and a singular vision of architecture.

The Dublin Conference Centre project illustrates our ability to resolve the complex programmatic, circulation, and security requirements of a large scale meeting and exhibition facility and at the same time achieve a bold architectural image for the building. Thanks to cutting edge mechanical systems and its reliance on off site renewable energy, Convention Centre Dublin is the world's first carbon neutral convention venue.