Central Bank of Ireland headquarters on Dublin’s North Wall Quay.
Author: Sofia Milici
When the Central Bank of Ireland set out to create its new headquarters, the ambition was to deliver a world-class building that works for everyone. O’Herlihy Access Consultancy (OHAC) was delighted to work alongside the Central Bank as Accessibility and Universal Design Advisors to help make that ambition a reality.
From the outset, accessibility was into every stage of the project, from the design of the building and its circulation routes to the services, information and day-to-day user experience. The result is a landmark workplace that demonstrates how Universal Design can support staff, visitors and the public.
Do you want to learn more? The Central for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) has published an E-learning module that can help you
This eLearning module was prepared and published by the CEUD which is part of the National Disability Authority (NDA), and it was highlighted and promoted in the Winter 2023 edition of Local Authority Times (Vol. 25, No. 3).
The module is aimed primarily at professionals involved in the design, procurement and management of buildings, including:
- Architects and designers
- Project and property managers
- Facilities managers
- Public sector officials and procurement professionals
However, it is also accessible to anyone with an interest in Universal Design and inclusive environments.
Over the course of the module, learners are introduced to practical examples of how accessibility can be embedded in:
- Building layout and circulation
- Wayfinding and information provision
- Interfaces between the building, public spaces and the wider public realm
A collaborative effort
In the Winter 2023 edition of “Local Authority Times (Vol. 25, No. 3)”, the module uses the Central Bank as a live case study to explore how Universal Design principles can be applied in practice across the built environment and Ruth O’Reilly, Senior Built Environment Design Advisor at the CEUD who led the development of the e-learning module highlights the role of collaboration in its success:
“We have had extremely positive feedback on the module to date and I would like to thank all of the contributors for their input and support: Liam McMunn, Fionn Rogan, Gerry Hughes, Sinéad Keane and Tony Murray at the Central Bank of Ireland, Peter McGovern at Henry J Lyons and Eoin O’Herlihy from O’Herlihy Access Consultancy (OHAC), as well as the team at Aurion Learning who worked closely with us to develop the module.”
This multi-disciplinary collaboration reflects the original project, where architects, client teams, advisors, staff and key stakeholders worked together to deliver a building of exceptional quality and accessibility.
Learn more
The “Building for Everyone: Central Bank of Ireland” eLearning module is available online and free to access. It offers a practical introduction to Universal Design in the built environment, grounded in a real project that demonstrates what good looks like.
You can learn an find more information at Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.