Tirlán Collaboration Hub
Tirlán, an Irish dairy co-operative, enlisted the services of Henry J Lyons to consolidate its three distinct divisions into a contemporary office space located at the heart of the redeveloped Abbey Quarter in Kilkenny city.
Guided by a commitment to sustainability, the primary goal was to align the office environment with the company's fresh identity and new branding while championing sustainability across all three floors. The project commenced in 2020 amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, it envisioned a traditional office layout for 240 employees. The evolving work landscape prompted a redesign, shifting towards a 2:1 employee ratio to accommodate a more flexible office environment.
The original building had impressive floor-to-ceiling heights on the ground and first floors, allowing ample natural daylight to permeate deep into the floor plate, thereby significantly reducing the need for artificial lighting. The Atrium space was designed with versatility in mind, and the chosen color palette paid homage to the company's agricultural roots through natural finishes, colors, and textures. The Meeting Rooms were used to further enhance the color and texture within the space, providing a sense of individuality while maintaining consistency with the core design principles of sustainability and nature.
The open-plan office was divided into neighborhoods, each with adjacent meeting rooms to maximize space efficiency while capitalizing on natural light, energy-efficient systems, and cutting-edge technologies.
To foster cross pollination among teams, shared hot-desking and touch-down spaces were strategically placed throughout the office, along with several tea stations serving as gathering points. These additions encouraged more casual interactions and, most importantly, facilitated increased communication across all teams, fostering a sense of connection and community among staff. Hot desks and private, solo-focused booths were introduced to provide staff with flexibility. Each neighborhood featured designated open collaboration areas to promote teamwork and communication.
The project successfully delivered a modern, sustainable office and flexible workspace that mirrors Tirlán's values, promotes employee well-being, and encourages collaboration. This A3 rated building follows a fabric first approach by being built to a modern, high–performance standard. Heating and air conditioning systems are of high efficiency to create a high quality indoor environment.
