She lies like a boat on the quay, stretching to the sky. Her reflection on the water resembles the siluette of a ship, gently moving through the water.

Concept
The project has been designed analyzing social behavior, contextual urban diagrams, construction methods, latest technology for environmental calculations, acoustical research, hybrid façade systems, and sustainability studies, while reflecting the spirit and attitude of the Docklands.

The building consists out of two main gestures: The concrete surface and the fluid lozenge shaped mash skin, wrapping around the static concrete pier, as it tilts to the sky.
While the concrete pier emerges slowly from the ground, before it sharply turns to the sky, the soft tube rests on the ground, softly emerging over the horizontal pier, and than gently bending around and interlocking with the towers core, as it stretches vertically to the clouds,

As a tower of steel and concrete, and a Landmark of light and transparency, the new building creates a beacon for Dublin and for its renewal of the Docklands into a world-class quarter.

Structural System
As the concrete structure softly rises out of the ground, it provides a harboring platform for the tube, holding it graciously as it turns to its vertical position. For the fabrication of the tube structure, the system of the project resembles the main construction methods of tradition shipbuilding. At it horizontal location the tube is supported with large vertical ring like frames, allowing for an absolute column free space through out the individual floors. When the tube curves up to the tower, the structural rings hold each floor plate, again allowing an absolute column free environment. The fish skin of the faced functions a substructure, wrapping the lateral forced, while resting against the concrete tower. The diamond shaped mash provides structural stability, and allows views where opened, and protection where closed.
The efficient construction method will allow for an affordable and fast construction.

Hybrid Façade
The façade anticipated for the soft tube, will function as a photovoltaic façade, which allows the combined utilization of electrical and thermal energy. By an intelligent building control of ventilation flaps and use of additional fans the thermal behavior of the façade can be adapted to the conditions of use and the actual whether conditions, turning this tower into a low energy sufficient building, setting new standards in commercial/residential construction. The photovoltaic hybrid façade allows besides the generation of electrical energy additionally the utilization of the thermal energy caused by the absorption of the solar radiation. The hybrid façade, with its integrated terrace and Sky Gardens, allows a pleasant 365-day individually controlled climate, and a low long-term maintenance cost.

Apartment Floors
Each apartment consists out off three main zones, of which two are within the soft tube: 1. The open outdoors terrace (vertical garden) 2. The fully glazed but enclosed Sky Garden (year-around garden), as a transparent light flood living room 3, the solid tower, accommodating the bed rooms, bathroom, and kitchen. It is intended to keep the flexible floor plan, to allow for a single, double or triple occupancy on each floor, adjustable to suit an increase or decrease in the size of the units. The flexible layout will encourage a residential mix with varying unit typologies offering S/M/L/XL/XXL sizes for young singles, couples, and retirement homes. The habitation quality of the tower is characterized by an unusual openness and transparency, providing spectacular 360-degree views of the Docklands.

U2 Studio
The studios have been engineered based on extensive research of studios throughout the world. The antiquated basement studio is challenged with what will be the most day light studio in the world, jet providing it with a maximum of sound insulation, due to the layered façade system, with buffer zones between the outside noise and the inside of the studio. The top floor will be capable of hosting the required spaces, however, the level below is being suggested as a recreation/ guest floor with sleeping quarters and an internal connection to the studio floor.