Project Overview

The new Garda Security and Crime Operations Centre (GSCOC) is a state-of-the-art building, housing the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI), Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) with space for over 900 Garda personnel. The building provides vital Garda infrastructure designed to support the delivery of national policing and security services.

Dubbed Walter Scott House, the project comprised of a 19,335m² six and four-storey office building with a green roof and central atrium, and consisting of 10,060m² of office space over a 9,275m² double basement car parking with ancillary accommodation, all on a site of 0.86ha. The site is bounded by Military Road to the west, St. Johns Road to the north, from which the car park is accessed, a HSE carpark and The Camac River to the East, and IMMA entrance to the South. The area of development is within the curtilage of two protected structures: The Phoenix Deer Park Wall and the East Gate Lodge. To facilitate the development, the removal of some of the existing stone walls and the existing 105m² modern blockwork shed was required. A section of the boundary wall along Military Road was removed to allow for secure vehicular access into the site. The scope of works also included the provision of hard and soft landscaping, a new stone boundary wall to Military Road, an ESB substation, a seven metre Garda telecommunication mast on the sixth-storey core roof, a 415m² single storey services building with a green roof, new foul drainage, attenuated surface water drainage, and all ancillary site structures and works.

The development is a mix of enclosed workspaces, offices and meeting rooms which have been positioned to maximise the benefits of an open plan work environment. The open plan configuration and central atrium optimises natural daylight, ventilation, views, and spatial qualities to give its occupants the greatest control of their environment and highest positive psychological effect. Circulation routes were designed to not only define specific spaces and provide fluid pedestrian routes through the workplace, but to also minimise distraction and disruption for occupants. The atrium links the three blocks with a series of cantilevered walkways and bridges gaining access to the breakout zones, toilets, tea stations/kitchen, meeting rooms, and conference facilities. The ground floor contains a gym, shower, and changing facilities. The building also houses an armoury and PEMs area (Property Exhibit Management System). The façade is of large profiled precast panels with curtain wall glazing floor to floor.

The location of the site, within the confines of a busy city centre, made it critical that we managed relationships with the neighbouring residents to minimise disruption to their daily lives.

The development was officially opened by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D and the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris on Friday 25th November 2022.