ESB HQ Fitzwilliam

ESB Head Quarters on Fitzwilliam Street Lower represented a significant milestone for O’Brien’s team. The scale, complexity duration of the installation presented enormous challenges for everyone involved.

The building was designed by Grafton and O’Mahoney Pike Architects and developed by PJ Hegartys. The dramatic landscape was the vision of Landscape Architect, Bernard Seymour, and was more than a decade in development before the ground was broken. The scheme is layered with designed landscape green elements, appearing as a honeycomb of voids overlooked by the office accommodation. The sunken courtyards are cooler and moister than the office environment and offer a natural form of air conditioning.

Encompassing an entire city clock spread over 45,000m2, the landscape installation included the streetscape, courtyards, sunken areas, extensive and intensive rooftops, paving, mature tree planting, furniture, lighting, and sculptures. “It’s hard to put the project into words,” says Project Manager, Derek McDonnell. “It really needs to be seen to be appreciated. And even that won’t capture the enormity of the undertaking. It was tough, to say the least, but we’re very proud of what we achieved as a team”.