Group Companies

The concept of the Grand Canal Theatre was to construct a powerful cultural presence within the existing commercial and residential surroundings of the Grand-Canal Square and to provide a visual icon mirroring the joy and drama of Dublin itself.

Within the Auditorium, the even distribution of sound was achieved by the use of a Gyproc Independent Wall Lining system consisting of a Gypframe & Gyproc SoundBloc infilling between horizontal steel to create a ‘rib’ effect curved box which represents the mast of a sailing ship.

Between these ribs, a ‘concertina’ wall lining system was constructed by the innovative use of pairs of Gypframe metal studs braced to the concrete structure, using Gypframe  Floor channel and Gypframe angles and lined with Gyproc SoundBloc. Within the concertina lining system a ‘step’ was constructed to facilitate a down-lighting system, again by use of Gypframe metal stud sections.

The concerns within the sound lobby were the absorption of extraneous sound and maintaining low reverberation. This was achieved by use of a Gyframe MF Ceiling system and Rigitone ceiling boards, which provide a high level of performance without compromising aesthetical appeal.


Brian Dolan, managing director of Gypsum Industries said, “The aim of the Saint Gobain Gyproc  International Trophy is to promote craftsmanship skills in the areas of traditional plastering and modern plasterboard systems and to reward work which shows originality and an optimal level of performance.”

“Saint Gobain is one of the world's leading interior and lightweight building system companies providing innovative and sustainable design solutions and is committed to promoting quality, skill and innovation in dry-walling and plastering throughout the world. We are  delighted to see the quality of workmanship involved in each of the Irish projects,” he continued

Previous Irish finalists in these awards have included the Carton House in Kildare, Dublin’s Mansion House, Today FM Studios, Croke Park Corporate Hospitality area, Fota House, Cork and the Marine Institute, Galway