Ambitious Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry opens at Trinity
Posted on: 28 October 2026
The Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry’s layout allows for hybrid, collaborative and innovative teaching and learning.
Trinity College Dublin’s newest and most ambitious academic building, the Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry, was opened officially today, formally giving students access to the most advanced facilities and technologies in Irish higher education.
The six-storey, 7,288 square-metre building is home to Trinity’s E3 educational programmes across the Schools of Computer Science and Statistics, Engineering and Natural Sciences, that will provide ‘Balanced Solutions for a Better World’ through the integration of teaching activities across the key pillars of E3: Engineering, Environment, and Emerging Technologies.
This short video above features three Heads of School, Professor Gregory O'Hare from the School of Computer Science and Statistics, Professor Anil Kokaram from the School of Engineering, and Dr Matthew Saunders from the School of Natural Sciences and three students, one representing each School, who reflect on the impact the E3 Learning Foundry is already having on their teaching, learning and research experience.
With students already in place in the building, the Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry enables an additional 1,800 STEM places, roughly a third more students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, taught through a curriculum built around teamwork, design and project work rather than divided along discipline lines.
The Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry’s layout allows for hybrid, collaborative and innovative teaching and learning. Students can use this building to move beyond the traditional classroom, exploring real-world challenges through project-based learning and designing, testing, and creating solutions.
Certified as “nearly zero energy” and with a planted roof garden on top, the E3 Learning Foundry works as three linked pieces with a raised, glazed form at the centre that funnels daylight down into the atrium. It was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios through collaboration with Arups and Coady Architects.
Dr Linda Doyle, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, said: “It is wonderful to celebrate the opening of the fantastic Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry today.
‘It is also a sad occasion, as Martin himself is not here with us to share in this moment. The impact he made on Trinity is immeasurable. His vision, generosity, and belief in the power of STEM education, innovation, and opportunity have had a profound and lasting effect. The E3 Learning Foundry stands as both a tribute to his vision and a powerful expression of the legacy he leaves behind.
‘I am deeply grateful to everyone who contributed their hard work, generosity and determination to this hugely ambitious project.”
Dr Carmel Naughton said: “Martin believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives. He was passionate about giving young people the opportunity to develop their talents, pursue their ambitions and use their knowledge to make a difference in the world. He would have been immensely proud to see this vision realised in such an inspiring building. As a family, we look forward to the prospect of the generations of students who will learn, discover and innovate here.”
Professor Sylvia Draper, Dean of Trinity’s Faculty of STEM, said: “This is truly one of the biggest and most ambitious projects we have ever undertaken. The world’s hardest problems cannot be addressed within a single discipline. This building gives our students the space to imagine, to design from scratch, test and build prototypes, use new technologies, lasers, 3D printers, green-houses and so learn anew.”
Martin and Carmel Naughton, along with their family, helped break ground on the E3 Learning Foundry project in 2021. Philanthropist Martin Naughton, who passed away on 3 July at the age of 87, had a relationship with Trinity that spanned more than three decades and four Provosts. In addition to the E3 Learning Foundry, his legacy at Trinity includes the Naughton Institute, home to the CRANN research centre and support for the development of Trinity East, Trinity’s second city centre campus at Grand Canal Dock. The Naughton Foundation also supports the Naughton Scholarships programme, which has helped hundreds of students who have faced financial barriers pursue STEM studies at third level in Ireland including Trinity College Dublin.
The Martin Naughton E3 Learning Foundry was also made possible through the generous support of Project Ireland 2040 and a community of philanthropic donors, including Eric & Barbara Kinsella and Family, Dr Beate Schuler, CRH, Paul and Theresa Johnston, donors to the Prof John G. Byrne Fund, the Boucher Family, James Mahon and Ann Barry, Shane Naughton, Bryan Alton, Mike Peirce, Steven Collins, Brian Ranalow, Intel, and the Neelamkavil Family, alongside a number of donors who choose to remain anonymous.
All architectual detail imagery is the copyright of Elyse Kennedy
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Media Contact:
Catherine O’Mahony | Media Relations | catherine.omahony@tcd.ie