Galway is renowned for its thriving social and cultural events. This building embraces these events and facilitates open-air markets, gigs, festivals, movie screenings, busking, etc. A variety of external public spaces, open-air and covered, are created. The form of building is a reaction to the long pier site and the variety in the brief. The retail and marina elements are placed on the ground while the auditorium, gallery and office spaces are lifted up to allow external public spaces along the pier. Offices are located in a tower which acts as a beacon, giving the building a strong visual presence in the dock. On the sea side, the gallery is turned to address the entrance to the site and create a covered outdoor space.