Forming part of the Irish Government’s collaborative project “Knowledge, Innovation, Society and Space,” Iontas sits within the NUI Maynooth North Campus Masterplan. The 5,042m2 building consists of a three storey concourse containing cellular office space, a large open entrance area, with a large undergraduate lecture theatre partly below-ground.

Glass cladding is suspended from the roof levels, forming an environmentally friendly envelope around the building. Load bearing in-situ concrete walls and columns support in-situ concrete slabs, while concrete edge beams support the external glass façade. Sub-structures of the building consist of bored piled foundations. The basement lecture theatre is a water-retaining structure concrete box with a large open-span steel roof. Two main concrete cores incorporate both stairs and lift shafts that provide overall building stability.

The building is a model of low energy design, with efficient use of natural light including natural daylight control in the atrium. Natural ventilation and exposed ECO-CEM concrete soffits eliminate the need for mechanical cooling, while hot water is generated by solar power. Green roofs minimize water attenuation requirements, and a grey water system reduces water demand.

PUNCH worked closely with Kildare County Council to agree the sustainable drainage and water strategy for the site.