Free Tower

U2's music evokes a strong feeling of boundless ambience bursting out serious and stimulating statements calling in independence of fate, personal rights, social and political liberty - in a direct response to the society, religion and history of Ireland, Europe and the world.

The architectural proposal echoes this underlining statement. Standing out like the call for freedom in U2's burning lyrics, the tower demarcates the water passage leading into the Grand Canal Dock Area.
Water, the distinctive element surrounding the GCD area, - both clear and pure in religious and spiritual sense - appears to have been shaping the vaults and curves of Free Tower's spaces.

Relinquishing the rough Irish Sea, towards the heart of the historical city centre of Dublin via the River Liffey, the tower rises like a beacon in the harbour, directing visitors into the outer and inner basins of the GCD area. It signifies the Grand Canal Corridor, defines the transformation of the area into a cradle of contemporary culture and enhances leisure and tourism.

The megalithic Platform provides a sense of Ireland's history in contrast with the Point Block promising a fascinating glimpse into the future. Adjacent to the River Dodder, the lower part of the Platforms is a transparent volume providing maximum visual link to the water body. It is permeable from all sides and contains Sound Box Volume for nightclub, Visual Box Volume for bar/ gallery, Gastronomic Volumes for restaurant and café.

Sculptural Park will occupy the open area to the south of the site, which could be utilized as café and for outdoor functions welcoming visitors, passer-by and people working in the surrounding area. From here, a sculptural walkway ascends to the upper part of the Platform featuring the art gallery, music gallery and offices within.

The Point Block comprises various size of accommodation for young singles, couples and retired. Fabulous views extend the spaces of each apartment, which have been designed to accommodate flexibility. The "Vertical Street", within the Point Block, provides not just the access but also an opportunity to meet and creates a sense of neighbourhood as well as street life.

Private lift access to the U2 studio is from Sir John Rogerson's Quay entrance and the basement car park. The dramatically lit Studio crowns the top of The Point Block with 360-degree access to the garden outside. Garden Paradiso is surrounded by "Invisible Trees", which offer unbroken view.

Buzzing with energy and excitement, the Free Tower as the highest man-made structure on the western edge of Europe reinforces Dublin's geographical location, illuminating across the Atlantics and as U2 - to the world.