The Biochemistry Building, the Roberts Lab and the PC Huts on the East end of campus are all to be demolished in the coming months in order to clear space for the construction of Trinity’s new E3 Learning Foundry.
In an email to staff and students, Deirdre O’Shea, the project manager, stated that “works are underway to realign the roadway at the colonnades and to clear the buildings of materials and furniture”. She added that despite “unexpected services close to the surface of the roadway” having caused delays, the work is still on track to be completed by Christmas.
The PC Huts, having been disconnected, are due to be removed tomorrow. This operation will see some road closures between the Biochemistry building and the Hamilton & Watts buildings.
Roadworks along the colonnades which include adding new ramped access are ongoing and intended to be completed by next week.
O’Shea states that all dates provided are the “scheduled dates” but noted that “as is the nature of demolition and construction, things can change”.
Scaffolding is to be erected around the Biochemistry building during the last week in September and demolition of the building is due to be carried out between mid October and mid December.
O’Shea’s email warns that this work is likely to create a lot of noise but says that “vibration monitoring and noise monitoring have been set-up”.
The email noted that there will be “inevitable but controlled dust, noise and disruption in the east end of campus and these side effects of construction are to be kept to safe levels in accordance with health and safety standards”.
The construction of Trinity’s new E3 Learning Foundry is due to commence next autumn and the work is expected to take an estimated two years.
E3, which combines natural sciences, computer sciences, and engineering, is expected to provide physical space for the disciplines to collaborate on education and research in relation to global challenges such as climate change, renewable energy and water provision.
The construction of the E3 Learning Foundry, estimated to cost around €60 million, was in part paid for by a €25 million from the Naughton family, the single largest private philanthropic donation in the history of the Irish state.
An additional €15 million was made available by the Department of Education and Skills through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The new building will have capacity for 1,800 additional places for students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) which constitutes an increase of 50% of STEM places in Trinity over ten years.
