Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern TD at the Unveiling of a Model and Architectural Designs for Exploration Station, an Interactive Science and Technology Centre, at the Officeof Public Works, 51 St. Stephen's Green on Monday, 5 February, 2007 at 2.00 p.m.
While I am not from a scientific background, two good friends of mine, Robert Boyle and William Rowan Hamilton, keep a close eye on my comings and goings back in Government Buildings, former home to the Royal College of Science. These two eminent scientists remind us of a strong tradition of discovery and invention in this country. This tradition has been an important foundation for our recent success as an economy – now one of the most globalised in the world.
Science is for all of us - not just for men and women in white coats. And yet, these days, we often overlook the huge impact that science and technology have on the shape of our society. I believe that the time has now come for us to celebrate science in this country in the same way that we have always celebrated art and literature as part of our culture. And so, it is with great delight that I am here today to unveil the model and architectural designs for Exploration Station - our landmark interactive science and technology building.
This key project within the Programme for Government heralds a new era in our appreciation of science and technology. It will be the departure point for a voyage of discovery for young people and visitors of all ages. As Ireland’s first purpose-built interactive science centre, its mission will be to inspire a lifelong passion for discovery and innovation. It will do this by engaging young minds with a range of interactive exhibits and programmes demonstrating the relevant role of science in our lives.
Children are the main focus for this initiative but it will be of interest to people of all ages with a particular focus on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The impact of this exciting new venture will be many and varied. First and foremost, it clearly signals our intention to establish ourselves as leaders in the knowledge society.
Clearly, science and technology, as well as an ability to innovate are critical to our future development. As we set out in our recent Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation, we need more and more young people with science, technology and engineering skills. This is reflected in our continuing support for the development of these areas in the recently published National Development Plan.
We must remember that a sustainable knowledge economy needs strong foundations – and these are to be found in first and second level education. The primary and secondary students of today are the potential star researchers of tomorrow.
In building these foundations, this Government is fully committed to strengthening the quality of the teaching and learning of science. By doing this, we are promoting scientific literacy and encouraging more students to choose science subjects. I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made over recent years in terms of curricular reform and in-service support for science teachers at both primary and post-primary levels.
We are also making major investments in research at third level and encouraging the take-up of careers in science through our Discover Science and Engineering awareness campaign.
I see Exploration Station as a major initiative that will support and complement all of these efforts. It will be a wonderful resource for our education system providing real and tangible demonstrations of science at work. And as a national centre, it must ensure that science and technology is brought to the entire country with an appropriate range of hands-on exhibits and programmes. I understand that the Board has established an Advisory Committee to advise on how this can best be done which will be chaired by Áine Hyland, retired Professor of Education at UCC.
And it is also vital that in housing this project we ensure the development of a landmark, world-class building of which we can all be proud.
I know that the Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr Danny O’Hare, has been very mindful of this and has been working very hard to develop the concept. Without a doubt, the design brief for this interactive science and technology centre is a challenging one.
But once again, the OPW and their design team led by Ciaran O’Connor have proved more than equal to the task and have developed this wonderful scheme that we see in model form here today.
The material on display here in OPW brings us through the design process for the interactive science centre. Working from the child’s perspective, the building design encompasses the dynamics of science, the imagination of children and the essential forms of nature.
Located at Heuston Gate, the 6,000 square metre building will be surrounded by office and apartment buildings of considerable height. The OPW design will ensure that, despite being of a relatively smaller size, this new cultural building will have its own civic presence.
The tower over the main entrance will be a focal point and within the building there will be both fast and slow circulation routes through varying exhibition spaces. It will also have demonstration theatres, a landscaped roof garden, a public café and shop, space for corporate and public events, offices and all necessary ancillary facilities.
And in keeping with the times, the building design incorporates principles of sustainable design and energy efficiency with features such as solar panels, wind catcher ventilation and high performance glazing.
From any perspective, this is a design for a distinctive civic building which beautifully marries form and function. It truly is architecture for the imagination. I believe that it will take its rightful place with our other key cultural institutions and will add greatly to the cultural infrastructure in the West of the City. I have no doubt that it will become a major tourist attraction in its own right.
The State has made a significant investment in this project. As part of the development of publicly owned land, the building for this new interactive science and technology centre will be provided at Heuston Gate. Overall, OPW will be providing approximately 80% of the initial funding for this project through site provision, design and building. The fit-out, exhibit design and construction, and running costs will be covered by a combination of funding sources. This will include €4.6m capital funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment over three years and current funding from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism of €250,000 for 2007. The remainder of the capital and running costs will be met through funds raised by the Board.
I know that the Department of Education and Science and the Discover Engineering and Science campaign have also made an important input to this project.
I would like to particularly welcome today’s news that AIB will be sponsoring this initiative to the tune of €8m. This continues a fine tradition of philanthropic support in this country for the development of cultural institutions, our museums and our art galleries, that are so central to our appreciation of our culture. AIB are to be commended for their significant sponsorship and it is an example that I hope others in the private sector will follow. After all, this is an investment in the future of the entire country and all sectors will benefit.
Of course, this project would never have reached a successful design stage without the great insight and dedication of the Board which allowed such a wonderful proposal to be put together. I pay particular tribute to Dr Danny O’Hare who has demonstrated such effective leadership as Chairman. I know that his personal input has played a key part and he has ensured that all the relevant sectors have been involved.
The outstanding design that we are unveiling here today reflects a project that has been well-conceived and a brief that has been clearly developed and communicated. I know that the Board have demanded the highest of standards in this design and the fact that they gave the OPW team a standing ovation after their presentation of the final design probably speaks for itself.
Today we can agree that this is a stunning design. The challenge now for the Board is to ensure that this project moves successfully from design stage to result in a building of the highest quality filled with exhibits of the highest calibre.
There is no doubt that Exploration Station will be a great addition to the cultural, educational and tourist infrastructure of Dublin and of the country as a whole.
Well done again to Danny O’Hare and the Board and to Ciaran O’Connor and his team of architects at the OPW. Thanks are also due to Sean Benton, Chairman of the OPW as well as Commissioner David Byers and principal architect Pat Cooney for their input to and support for this major initiative.
Thank you for your attention.
ENDS.