Grand Canal Square by Martha Schwartz

Grand Canal Square by Martha Schwartz
A stunning design for a major new public space - Grand Canal Square - in Dublin's Docklands, has been unveiled by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

At 10,000 sq metres, the Square, located at the west end of Grand Canal Dock facing on to the water, will be one of the largest paved public spaces in the city.

The new Grand Canal Theatre and Le Meridien 5-star hotel will both face on to the Square as well as shops, caf�s and restaurants at ground floor level.

John McLaughlin, Director of Architecture with the Docklands Authority said 'we are delighted that this project will make the public space the focus of the development, complimenting the different buildings.

The fact that it will open on to a large non-tidal body of water will make it a unique space in Dublin.

Such spaces have traditionally only occurred in Mediterranean cities like Trieste and Venice'.

The Docklands Authority selected American Landscape Architect, Martha Schwartz, to design the space.

Her design features a striking composition of a red 'carpet' extending from the theatre into and over the dock crossed by a lush green 'carpet' of paving with lawns and vegetation.

The red 'carpet' will be made of bright red resin-glass paving covered with red glowing angled light sticks.

The green 'carpet' of polygon-shaped planters