Completed in 2001, the 33,000 m² scheme comprises two signature office buildings, each organised around a dramatic roof-lit central atrium. Conceived as a corporate headquarters but designed with the flexibility to accommodate multiple tenancy configurations, the project balances prestige with adaptability. A unifying podium elevates the buildings above surrounding roads while concealing two levels of basement parking, giving the complex prominence while resolving practical needs. With façades of polished white concrete and modular glazing capped by floating roof planes, the development established a confident new identity for Sandyford. The Atrium went on to house Microsoft’s European headquarters, positioning the scheme as a precursor to Dublin’s emergence as a global technology hub and demonstrating HKR’s role in attracting world-leading tenants to the city.

Design & Flexibility

HKR’s design for the Atrium responded to the client’s ambition for a signature development that could attract high-profile tenants while offering long-term adaptability. Two six-storey office buildings with penthouse levels are organised around expansive central atria, ensuring natural light, orientation, and a sense of address. Large, flexible floorplates support both single-tenant headquarters and multi-occupier use, reflecting the changing demands of the workplace. The podium raises the buildings above surrounding traffic routes, creating a calm entrance sequence and concealing extensive basement parking. This strategy ensures the Atrium is both practical in operation and distinctive in presence.

Corporate Identity & Legacy

The façades combine polished white concrete panels with bi-modular glazing, giving the buildings depth, rhythm, and clarity. Recessed penthouse levels enhance proportion and emphasise the floating roofline, reinforcing the scheme’s modern corporate character. The Atrium’s adaptability and architectural quality attracted Microsoft, who established their European headquarters within the development. This was a pivotal moment in Dublin’s commercial evolution: the project helped set the stage for the city’s international tech cluster, proving that Sandyford could host global occupiers in a purpose-designed environment.

By uniting bold architecture with workplace flexibility, the Atrium not only delivered a prestigious headquarters but also paved the way for Dublin’s rise as a global business and technology destination.