Capital Dock, Ireland’s Largest Mixed-Use Development, Goes Green with Silva Cell

Sustainability was a key component of the project, and the plaza and walkway trees planted in Silva Cells are accessing lightly compacted soil for continued health and vitality

Overview

Situated in the Docklands district along the River Liffey in Dublin, the Capital Dock project — Ireland’s largest mixed-use development — features the country’s tallest building (22 floors). An important component of this initiative was sustainability, incorporating thoughtful green design throughout the development. As part of this objective, dozens of trees were planted along the walkways and in the new four-season event plaza — 33 of which are supported by the lightly compacted soil found in Silva Cells.

Capital Dock Project

Number of Silva Cells: 168 (1x)
Number of Trees: 33
Type of Project: Plaza, Waterfront, On-Structure
Project Designer: LDA Design
Project Contractor: Peter O’Brien & Sons
Installation Date of Silva Cells: Summer 2018

Capital Dock Sustainability

Completed in late 2018, the Capital Dock development in Dublin includes nearly 700,000 square feet of mixed-use space — including office space, residential units, and retail. This multi-award-winning project prioritized sustainability as a key feature of the development: it achieved LEED Gold certification through its many thoughtful design elements, such as:

► Zero Waste to Landfill Strategy

► High-Energy Performance Units

► Sustainable Construction Practices

► Extensive Public Realm and Green Spaces

► Rooftop Terraces

Trees were placed in open planters

Silva Cells are providing continuous soil volume beneath hardscape

Silva Cells for Tree Health

Known as Three Locks Square, the plaza at Capital Dock plays host to a number of community events from barbecues and food fairs to social and seasonal celebrations for residents, employees, and visitors alike. Greenery is an important feature of the plaza and adjacent waterfront space, including many new hardscape trees. To ensure these trees had the best opportunity to grow to healthy maturity, Silva Cells were installed under the hardscapes.

Within the plaza, open planters were used for the trees — Silva Cells were installed beneath the plaza hardscape, serving as an underground soil bridge and connecting all of the soil volume for one large, contiguous rooting space for the trees.

How Silva Cells Contribute to Larger Sustainability Efforts

► Preserving Usable Surface Area: Silva Cells help maximize walking space by reducing the size of open planting areas without sacrificing uncompacted soil volume

► Resilience in Waterfront Conditions: Coastal environments often present challenges like salt exposure and wind, which are mitigated by strong rooting volume in Silva Cells.

► Integrating Landscape into Placemaking: Creating a thriving public realm was a central objective of the project, and mature, shady trees are one of the best ways to accomplish this placemaking goal.

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