Shannon Free Zone

Shannon Free Zone is a 243 hectare International Business Park adjacent to Shannon International Airport on the West Coast of Ireland. RKD was commissioned by Shannon Development to provide a masterplan for the three geographical locations of the free zone: Free Zone East, Free Zone West and Smithstown. These sites were originally developed in the late 1950s to attract foreign direct investment to the west coast of Ireland. RKD was tasked with creating next generation office, R&D and light industry units in a 21st century business and technology park that would attract a highly skilled community and provide a pleasant working atmosphere. A focus was also made on developing small community links to the local town and airport with a balanced mix of businesses allowing for a sustainable dialogue between the area and surroundings.

In addition to planning the large park spaces and existing units RKD designed model buildings to suit large manufacturing, airport-supporting businesses and town centre activities. Phasing of the masterplan development ensured early achievement of providing gateways to the business park and to provide landmark buildings. RKD carried out a detailed analysis of the existing building stock, ownership and conditions so that best quality stock could be incorporated into the planning of the business park.

The brief also extended to creating a 21st century green business and technology park and RKD worked closely with BRE Ireland's 'Greenprint for Sustainability' to ensure best practice for green and sustainable development will apply. The Greenprint fundamentals were applied at all scales to ensure that Shannon Free Zone would be the first business park in Ireland to be planned to the highest sustainable standards including recycling, traffic calming, green energy, green spaces and building standards.

RKD developed examples of sustainable building types and sustainability principals to inform future developing partners with Shannon Development of the high standards required to maintain the overall quality and viability of the park.