The Helix in Dublin, Ireland is a multi-venue performing arts center located on the campus of Dublin City University. It was constructed between 2000-2002 at a cost of €56.5 million and officially opened in 2002. The Helix features a main concert hall called the Mahony Hall with excellent acoustics and sightlines, a theatre space, and several additional event spaces. It was designed with a striking helical structure and inclined columns that create a focal point in the large central foyer. The Helix hosts a variety of performances and events year-round.

1. C
THE HELIX
THEATRE, DUBLIN
Presented by: Rasha Alobaid, Mustafa Dahir
Altinbas University
School of Graduate Studies
Department of Architecture
Arch545 – Acoustical Design In Architecture
Submitted to : Prof. Dr. Ayşe Erdem Aknesil
Presentation Topic:
Tuesday, April 12, 2022

2. CONTENTS
01. PLACE IN THE CITY
02. BREIF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
03. TYPES OF THE PERFOMANCES
05. AUDITORIUMS OF THE BUILDINGS AND
ACCOUSTICAL FEATURES
04. DESIGN AND FACILITIES
06. SUPPORTING FACILITIES
08. REFRENCES
07. Plans, Sections, Elevations

3. The Helix, on the Dublin City, is Ireland's exciting multi venue
performance and meeting space in North Dublin. It offers a range of
spaces that cater for all types of events, including live performances
all year round. The Helix, at Dublin City, was awarded the title of
Ireland's Best Purpose Built Event Venue. Located just 10 minutes
from Dublin City center and 10 minutes from Dublin Airport, The Helix
has been the venue of choice for international performing artists,
global conferences, Irish business meetings, gala dinners, film shoots
and more.
01. PLACE IN THE CITY
“Visit the helix with Discover Ireland. Discover Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from
https://www.discoverireland.ie/dublin/the-helix”

4. Project Name: The Helix Centre for the Performing Arts
Architects: Wejchert Architects
Client: Dublin City Council
Purpose: Education
Size: 11,650m2
Construction Year: 2002
Building Levels: G+2
Location: Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Ireland
“The Helix, Dublin. Wikiwand. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Helix,_Dublin#/History”
02. BREIF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION

5. The Helix Performing Arts Centre is the most
outstanding platform for the Arts in Ireland. It is an
international example of how architecture can best serve the
artistic aethetic and cultural needs of a city or even a
country. The building is located on the main campus of
Dublin City University. It is said to be the most complex
building to have been constructed in the country in the
entire decade [1]. The Helix was built at a cost of €56.5 million
between 2000 and mid-2002. Officially opened by Presedent
of Irland, Mary McAleese, on the 21 October 2002 [2].
“Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, April 5). The Helix, Dublin. Wikipedia. Retrieved
April 8, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Helix,_Dublin”
02. BREIF HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION

6. THE THEATRE IS SUITABLE FOR:
Performance
Theatre productions, Musicals,
Film screenings, Live gigs &
Concerts, Seated performances,
Film & TV production.
Conference
Corporate Events, Product & Car
Launches, Graduations, Award
Ceremonies, Dinners & Corporate
Concerts.
The theatre. Theatre Venue Dublin | Performance Space | The Helix DCU. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2022,
from https://thehelix.ie/venue-hire/our-spaces/the-theatre/
03. TYPES OF PERFOMANCES

7. The Helix Center of the Performing Arts received
its name for its helical structure that dominates
the entrance. The building is built around a very
wide foyer that has inclined columns and a helix-
shaped stairway. The unusual stairway is
surrounded by inclined columns that are placed
circularly. This creates a center of attraction in the
building. There is an open void right in the middle
of the structure, through which light spills from
the roof [4].
04. DESIGN AND FACILITIES
Helix Stairway

8. The Helix Centre for the Performing Arts serves as a
benchmark for concrete structures in Ireland.
The structure is organized by a dynamic geometry
derived from three axes converging in the foyer,
around which are organized the major spaces. This
three-storied building is designed with elevations of
contrasting granite and glass. The renovated parts of
the building consist of an expanded lobby,
improvements to the main theater, an expanded
patron lounge, and a new exterior glass curtain wall
facade that visually enhances the building’s presence
on campus. Other updates are a new stage, lighting
facilities, and seats that are transformative for patrons,
students, and performers [4].
04. DESIGN AND FACILITIES
Helix Stairway

9. 05. AUDITORIUMS OF THE BUILDING

10. The main auditoriums of the buildings are:
• Mahony Concert Hall.
• Theatre.
• Exhibition space.
Mahony Concert Hall.
• It is the main concert hall that has inclining cantilevered
balconies on ascending levels.
• The roof structure of the hall supports a concrete roof
deck that provides high-standard noise control and
integrates lighting and maintenance walkways.
• The Mahony Hall has been designed with audience
comfort in mind. Features include superb acoustics and
excellent sightlines [1], [4].
05. AUDITORIUMS OF THE BUILDING

11. 04. AUDITORIUMS OF THE BUILDING; Acoustical feature of Mahony Hall
• Level: Ground, First & Second Floor
• It has a PA system and lighting rig with excellent acoustics and
sightlines with a retractable seating.
• Front and rear projection
• Stage extensions with ramps
It has 460 m2 area with a capacity of 1252 in an open orchestral
platform and 1070 in Black Box Configuration.
Stage
Orchestral wooden platform with curved downstage edge and
overhead
It has a wooden acoustic canopy.
Width upstage: 12m
Width downstage: 20m
Depth: 12m
Height: 1m

12. 05. AUDITORIUMS OF THE BUILDING; Acoustical feature of the Theatre
The Theatre
The Theatre is an intimate venue with a capacity for up to 433
guests. It features a full proscenium arch stage, orchestra pit
which will give you a capacity for up to 391 guests and large
staging area. State of the art in-house lighting and sound systems
are also available. Fully air conditioned and soundproofed, with
one of Ireland's largest stages this venue is a popular choice for a
wide variety of shows or small conferences [1], [4].
Size: 165m2
Capacity: 433
Stalls 314 & Balcony 119
Stage: Wooden Platform painted black
Depth: 12m, Width: 22.5m, Height: 1m

13. 05. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Space
The Space
A full black box venue with seating in a round format. The Space
is a popular choice for TV recordings, breakout sessions,
workshops, VIP area, cabaret style dining and entertainment [4].
Specifications
It has Inhouse sound system with a retractable Seating, and
Multipurpose layout for seminars, exhibitions, corporates
receptions, parties.
it has a Size of 110m2 and capacity of 145
Stage is made of Matt Black Painted Cement Floor with a width
of 8m stage end and width: 5.5m wide between stage left and
stage right bleachers,

14. 06. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Blue Room
The Blue Room
The blue room can be transformed to suit any type of
conference or event [4].
Size: 165m2
General information
Natural light
Timber floors & white walls
The blue room is suitable for:
Performance
Dance classes, lunches & dinners, rehearsals, classes.
Conference
Meetings room hire, workshops, training seminars, employee
development workshops, breakout area

15. 04. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Gallery
The Gallery
It has timber floors and white walls with a bright, airy and
naturally light, the Gallery is an extremely multipurpose space
which can be transformed and used for any type of conference
or event [4].
Size: 132m2
The Gallery Is Suitable For:
Performance.
Rehearsals, Classes, Film screenings
Conference
Suitable for Break Outs, Meetings, Private Functions, Dinners,
Presentations, Seminars, Staff Training Days, Workshops,
Themed Parties, & VIP Receptions
The Gallery

16. 04. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Studio
The Studio
The Studio can be transformed to facilitate breakout sessions,
Meetings and Rehearsals [4].
Size: 50m2
The Studio Is Suitable For:
Performance
Dance/Band Rehearsals.
Conference
Workshops, Conference Breakout Sessions, Breakfast Meetings,
Evening Classes and Seminars.
The Studio

17. 04. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Studio, The Boardroom
The Studio
The Helix has two impressive Green Room facilities [4].
Size: 50m2
These Rooms Are Suitable For:
Entertaining guests, performers or keynote speakers and crew.
The Boardroom
The boardroom is A perfect room for any board meeting but it
can also be transformed into A press or committee room if
necessary [4].
Size: 20m2
The Boardroom Is Suitable For:
Board Meetings, Press Office Rental, Interviews, Training
Rooms, Seminars & Workshops.
The Studio
The Boardroom

18. 04. SUPPORTING FACILITIES; The Studio, The Boardroom
THE DRESSING ROOM
The Helix has an extensive selection of
both small and large dressing rooms all of
which are ensuite and some
include shower facilities [4].

23. 1. 1- Rethinking the Future. The Helix Centre for the Performing Arts by Wejchert Architects: Architecture meets Artisthttps. [online]
Available at: https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/case-studies/a4315-the-helix-centre-for-the-performing-arts-by-wejchert-architects-
architecture-meets-artist.
2. 2- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Helix,_Dublin.
3. 3- http://www.wejchert.ie/projects/project-detail/the-helix-performing-arts-centre-dcu.
4. 4- https://thehelix.ie/venue-hire.
5. 5- The Irish Times. 2021. The Dublin theatre-turned-vaccination centre: ‘We’re planning for 5,000 people a day’. [online] Available at:
<https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/the-dublin-theatre-turned-vaccination-centre-we-re-planning-for-5-000-people-a-day-
1.4482546> [Accessed, 9 April 2021].
6. “Visit the helix with Discover Ireland. Discover Ireland. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.discoverireland.ie/dublin/the-helix”
7. The Helix, Dublin. Wikiwand. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Helix,_Dublin#/History
REFERENCES