It was officially opened at a special event at SETU's campus in Carlow, with partners from across the education sector, industry, and stakeholders in attendance to celebrate this achievement.
The €26 million, self-funded project is a flagship addition to the SETU estate, providing over 5,000 square metres of high-quality, near zero energy building (NZEB) space across four storeys. It includes bright, modern offices for more than 240 staff, a new restaurant and café, incubation space to support the region’s emerging fintech sector, meeting and collaboration rooms, and an external landscaped plaza that will connect to the forthcoming Advanced Science Building.
Leadership Praise for New University Building Launch
Speaking at the opening, SETU President, Professor Veronica Campbell, praised the project as a transformative space that reflects South-East Technological University’s ambitions as a dynamic, regional university of global significance: “As we look around us, we can all appreciate the quality of this new space. It is a bright, modern, and dynamic environment. The building has created new opportunities for growth and collaboration with industry at SETU.”
“As a multi-campus university, the value of collaborative spaces is immensely important. This building enhances our ability to connect with colleagues and external stakeholders across the region,” she continued.
“It is a clear symbol of South-East Technological University’s presence in the south east as a confident, modern, and future-focused organisation. We are incredibly proud of this space and see it as a benchmark in quality for future SETU developments," Prof. Campbell concluded.
Prof. Campbell also extended gratitude to the key partners involved in bringing the project to fruition, including Wejchert Architects, Conack Construction, Seamus Byrne Electrical, and Blanchfield Mechanical Contractors.
Strategic Vision and Collaboration with Industry
Keith Williams, Director of Capital Projects at SETU, highlighted the strategic vision behind the project: “In 2018, the former Institute completed a masterplan which identified the need to provide additional office space to support the continued expansion of the thec Institute of Technology Carlow, and the forecasted growth in staff and student numbers as part of the technological university.”
“We appointed a design team led by Wejchert Architects in 2019 and subsequently the Main Contractors Conack Construction in 2021. Despite various economic challenges, we successfully delivered a high-quality, energy-efficient space that sets a new benchmark for South-East Technological University developments,” Keith continued.
Staff Experience and Future-Focused Development
The Corporate Services Building is already playing a central role in fostering collaboration, accommodating over 240 academic and professional staff, and delivering vital communal services for both staff and students. It is a space that we are immensely proud of. It has created a bright, warm, welcoming, comfortable, vibrant place of work for our staff, whilst also providing additional dining, meeting communal space for both staff and students,” Keith concluded.
