For SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies, the end of their lease represented an opportunity to reimage the future. Together with Structure Tone Dublin and Henry J. Lyons, the company thoughtfully designed, built, and moved into their dream office space—all within 28 weeks.
ONE TEAM, ONE TIMELINE
Spanning 135,000sf across seven floors in the heart of Dublin, delivering SMBC Aviation Capital’s new space on time was a challenge from day one. “SMBC had a hard move-out date from their previous space, so we couldn’t afford delays,” says Sean Bagnall, Project Manager at Structure Tone Dublin. Fortunately, Structure Tone joined the project before the design was finalized, which allowed for early coordination between the construction and design teams. Through close communication and regular workshops, Structure Tone and Henry J. Lyons were able to identify and solve procurement challenges and constructability issues before they impacted the schedule.
That collaboration continued throughout the project. “We spent a lot of time on-site because the program was so fast paced,” says Aoibhin Egan, Associate at Henry J. Lyons. “We were all really handson the entire time, making decisions in real-time on-site and getting everyone involved as much as possible.” As the project progressed, the project team was able to ringfence certain items and add them to a later phase without delaying SMBC Aviation Capital’s ultimate first day of business. The primary space was handed over in March of 2024, with the remaining areas fully completed in April.
“The program was painfully tight, but having Structure Tone as the center of communication for all the moving parts made us more comfortable,” explains Shane Carroll, SVP Strategic and Market Analysis at SMBC. “We made our first day of business and came in under budget.”
SAFETY FIRST
Throughout construction, Structure Tone went above-and-beyond to make sure safety standards never slipped. The site bordered a nearby school, so school drop-off and material delivery clashes were a top concern. Structure Tone regularly met with the school to keep them updated on any potential disruptions, organized for morning deliveries to come in after students were safely in class, and even donated high-vis vests.
BUILT FOR CONNECTION
Despite the expedited schedule, SMBC Aviation Capital’s vision for their new headquarters was extremely thoughtful—from the office’s layout and amenity spaces to its artwork.
Amenities that matter. From high-quality desks with extra power strips at each workstation, to the state-of-the-art gym and changing facilities, the amenities at SMBC Aviation Capital were designed to enhance employee well-being and encourage collaboration. The third and fourth floors, which house the company’s day-to-day office spaces, include plenty of workstations, meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and pod seating. One floor up, the new headquarters boasts a full Cafe—complete with its own barista. The sixth floor features impressive board and executive areas. For those who bike to work, the building can accommodate approximately 150 bikes and has high-end showers and changing facilities for staff. “We plan to be here for quite a while so we wanted to make it the best office that we could possibly achieve,” says Carroll.
A one-of-a-kind meeting space. The office features a double-height auditorium with bleacher seating that physically connects the two main floors—the perfect space for SMBC Aviation Capital’s weekly meetings. According to Egan, “Creating that space was a key decision and one of our biggest design challenges, but it’s become a hub for staff interactions and events, which is fantastic to see.”
Honoring heritage. As an Irish company owned by a Japanese organization, one of the design goals for SMBC Aviation Capital was to honor both cultures. The design team partnered with local artists and craftspeople to create artwork that would reinforce that message. “There are some really nice pieces throughout the space that tie in both Irish and Japanese folklore. Before you start researching, you wouldn’t expect the number of connections that exist,” Egan recalls. One such locally commissioned artwork lives in the client suite and uses Irish linen to overlay Japan’s Mount Fuji and Ireland’s Croagh Patrick.
LASTING IMPACT
With more space than they need for the firm’s current operations, SMBC Aviation Capital decided to pay it forward by dedicating portions of the building to sustainable and social causes.
Searching for sustainable fuel. In addition to achieving the LEED Gold certification, SMBC Aviation Capital has funded a dedicated scientific lab in partnership with Trinity College Dublin to research sustainable aviation fuels. “Sustainable aviation fuel is an immediate replacement for jet fuel that comes from a renewable source,” explains Carroll. “If we’re successful, it will massively contribute to decarbonizing the aviation industry.”
Supporting Together Academy. SMBC Aviation Capital is fitting out the building’s ground floor for the Together Academy—a nonprofit supporting young adults with Down syndrome. The charity space will include classrooms, a training kitchen, and a 30-40 seat student-run Cafe. “It’s really about helping the students gain experience and building up their confidence,” says Karen Lynch, SVP of Property, Facilities and Business Support. “We’ve given Together Academy a temporary space while the ground floor is being finished, and it’s been great fun having the students in our building.”
As SMBC Aviation Capital embarks on its next chapter, the space symbolizes global connection, innovation, and meaningful impact in the heart of Dublin.