The National College of Ireland’s acquisition of the former Spencer Block West (Block R) in 2022 marked a major step in its long‑term growth strategy. With student numbers rising rapidly and expansion opportunities limited at the Mayor Square campus within the competitive Sustainable Development Zone, NCI set out to reimagine this commercial office building as a future‑focused satellite campus.
The project combined a partial shell‑and‑core upgrade with full CAT A and CAT B fit outs across Levels 1–5, alongside a complete refurbishment of the ground‑floor reception and targeted enhancement works to the sixth‑floor canteen.
A key challenge for the design team was to deliver a state‑of‑the‑art educational facility while maximising reuse of the existing structure and materials, a reflection of NCI’s commitment to sustainability and responsible development.
The transformed Spencer Dock campus delivered a modern, flexible, and inclusive learning environment that supports NCI’s strategic growth while honouring its sustainability commitments.