The new civic offices in Naas for Kildare County Council have been officially opened.
The building was designed by Dublin-based Heneghan Peng architects, who have come to international prominence for other designs, including the Grand Museum of Egypt in Cairo and the new Giant's Causeway visitor centre.
At a cost of €58 million, the scheme is built on part of the former site of Devoy Barracks and occupies nearly three hectares (seven acres). It will accommodate 450 staff.
A €500,000 grant allowed for such features as solar panels on the roof for heating water and an internal water recycling scheme.
Intelligent design basics include maximising natural light to illuminate the interior and using natural ventilation so that air conditioning is not required.
The car park features porous paving which means that no drains are required.
After 2½ years of construction, council staff can now vacate the old fever hospital.
The new building has distinguishing features both in visual aspect and function.
Stating that the "design approach is unique", the council has opted for two parallel four-storey, rectangular glass and steel blocks with tilting walls. The intention is to play on continuing the topography of the surrounding landscape.
The theme of extending the outside into the interior is also reflected in the transparent green screens that cover the buildings - part of what the architects describe as "continuity between public garden and public enclosed space".
This reflects the architects' intention that the design be a metaphor of how local democracy should have transparency as a key component and that "openness to all the people of Kildare was fundamental to the building's concept".
The aspect of accessibility is continued throughout the building as both able-bodied people and disabled experience the building similarly.
This is facilitated by the use of gently sloping ramps, rather than stairs, which "float" in an atrium that links the two parallel blocks.
The project hopes to set a new template for sustainable and environmentally sound corporate architecture in Ireland, and it has been awarded the highest grant to date given to one project by Sustainable Energy Ireland.
Adjacent to the exterior of the offices is an amphitheatre set against the Georgian clock tower building, a remnant of the former barracks. It is intended that concerts and performances will be held here in summer.