Architectural Principles
Crucial to the Plan is the setting of architectural principles which recognise the intrinsic value of the Belfield Campus and the desire to reconcile development with character retention. Future developments will be guided by the following principles.
UCD will promote sustainable building design and energy efficiency by giving all future buildings an energy index rating. New buildings will reduce CO2 emissions and utilise energy saving devices such as twin skin cladding, triple glazed facades, sun screening and natural ventilation.
Higher density developments will be encouraged. Generally four to six storey buildings will be planned, with certain areas of significance allowing for even higher densities. A new iconic building or tower will also be considered.
Building of smaller piecemeal development will be discouraged by combining building uses to construct larger scale structures. Innovative solutions to the refurbishment of older existing buildings will also be explored.
Horizontal architectural emphasis for new buildings will be encouraged to match existing buildings. In general, flat roofs will be used and materials chosen of stone-like quality, native granite, limestone and sandstone. This effort to create a linkage between the visual appearances of new buildings will be supported by the use of external materials that fall within the range of white, silver and grey.
Where practical, semi-basement car parks under new buildings and multi-storey car parks adjacent to existing campus entry points, will be considered. Nodes will be created at perpendicular pedestrian routes to allow for greater public congregation, bicycle parking, additional seating and landscaping. Universal access will be provided to all buildings.
