The Irish subsidiary of Google has lodged plans for a large public mural across seven storeys at its European HQ in Dublin. The mural will incorporate interactive and virtual elements using Google technology and AI tools.
Google Ireland Ltd is seeking planning permission for the 705sq m “Urban Growth” mural, at the northern elevation of South Bank House, Barrow Street, in Dublin 4.
A planning report by John Spain & Associates said the mural would “deliver an attractive and engaging public art installation to the area” and “also contribute positively to the overall vibrancy of the wider Boland’s Quay development”.
Mr Spain said that the proposal would provide an attractive replacement to the conventional exterior of the building, but would also establish “a vibrant and collaborative element to the Google campus for the use of all”.
The mural is to be in place for 10 years and a maintenance plan has been submitted with the planning application. Artist Sean Atmos has told the council that “with years of experience in painting some of the largest murals in Ireland, I believe this project will be the most substantial undertaking of its kind in the country to date”.
At a pre-planning meeting with city planners on January 8th, Mr Atmos and the applicant presented the proposal, and Mr Spain said city planners were supportive of the mural design, its location and that the mural would make a positive contribution to the streetscape.
Mr Spain said that given the location of the mural on a building within the Google campus and directly fronting Barrow Street, the mural would be " visible to the public at all times”. Mr Atmos told the council that his mural would “play an important role in place-making for Bolands Mills, making a positive and inspiring contribution to the innovation and community cultivated within the urban environment today”.
The mural will also have an augmented reality (AR) feature where viewers “can point their smartphones at the mural to see our bespoke, sensory friendly digital experience from our tranquil, seated space with plants and wild flowers”
A plaque is to be placed on the wall explaining the mural with the proposed wording that “the artwork blends the industrial heritage of the Bolands Mills with the natural beauty of the Irishtown Nature Park, merging two distinct worlds in a harmonious, immersive art experience”.
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