Leading British architectural practice RMJM is designing the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway’s new ¤60 million (Ł40.2 million) engineering school. The development, submitted for planning permission in June, will start on site in February 2008. The Governing Authority of NUI Galway authorised the visionary capital development programme at the campus in May 2006, of which the Engineering Building is the University’s largest capital project to date. The 14,200m2 new Engineering Building has been conceived as a pavilion in a park, referencing the University’s original 1845 quadrangle building. The zinc clad building in this new parkland will form the gateway to the emerging northern campus.

The building unites the University’s five engineering departments – Civil, Electronic, Industrial, Engineering Hydrology and Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering – which are currently located at 13 different locations over the campus and beyond. The new development will house undergraduate and postgraduate facilities for nearly 1,500 students including engineering laboratories, research facilities, workshops, computer suites and lecture rooms.

Planning and Projects Officer at the University, Greg Power commented: "Locations for great works of public architecture are few and far between, and those in a position to commission such work have an enormous responsibility to make something truly significant. The University relishes the opportunity to work with architects of such stature as RMJM and Taylor Architects to create a fitting salute to the inspiring history of engineering in Galway. The new facility will be a landmark building, respectful of its unique riverside setting on the main approach into Galway and one which will continue to inspire students in engineering for generations to come."

RMJM teamed up with Taylor Architects – a 30-strong, leading firm of architects and interior designers based in County Mayo - to win the commission in March 2005. The development was given the go-ahead in 2006, following an announcement by the Irish Government of a ¤1 billion investment programme for third-level institutions and is part of the NUI’s Campus of the Future programme. It is RMJM’s second commission for the University in recent years. In 2004, RMJM and Taylor Architects were appointed to design a new ¤5 million cultural hub for the NUI, Galway, featuring a series of informal social and specialist arts spaces allowing greater flexibility and experimentation between a broad range of film, music, drama and other creative arts activities.

RMJM Director in charge of the project, Adrian Boot said: "We are delighted to be designing and delivering a state-of-the-art facility for the engineers of the future. We are particularly pleased to be working with the University on this prestigious project on a wonderful waterfront site on the Campus. We believe that the opportunities to create a stimulating learning and research environment which adds value to the School of Engineering's vision for the future are significant. Our team has spent a lot of time in Galway over the past year developing the design in detail – particularly the functionally diverse activities within the laboratories. This hard work by everyone involved is now paying off."

It is expected that 40% of the School of Engineering will be funded by central government with additional significant funds contributed by private donors and the balance covered from the University’s own resources. The project was set in motion as soon as the funding announcement was made, and is scheduled for completion in 2010.