The CUBE Low Carbon Centre of Excellence has been shortlisted for the prestigious Irish Planning Institute (IPI) Planning Awards 2025 in the Climate Action category for its entry “Driving Local and Regional Climate Solutions”.
Located at Tower Hill in Portlaoise, the original building was constructed in 2005 with plans to accommodate a restaurant, retail, and office spaces across three floors.
However, it remained unopened and vacant for several years before eventually coming to market.
Through funding from Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the support of Laois County Council, the building was purchased and refurbished, officially opening in March 2023 as The CUBE and transforming its future.
Through the adaptive reuse of this previously vacant building, The CUBE has been transformed into a state-of-the-art hub for climate action engagement with businesses and communities.
As a multi-purpose facility, The CUBE offers office space, meeting and training rooms for rental by companies and community groups, and sustainability consultancy and training services.
It now actively hosts training, workshops, and innovation projects, building local capacity and accelerating the low carbon transition across Laois, the Midlands region, and beyond.
As Ireland’s first dedicated low carbon centre, The CUBE was established to support collaborative climate action at both local and regional levels.
Today, it is home to over 70 employees across multiple companies, including FRS Recruitment and QA Leads Ireland.
The CUBE is also the project headquarters of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway to Just Transition.
Speaking on the announcement, Caroline Hofman, Managing Director of The CUBE, said: “We are honoured to see The CUBE recognised by the Irish Planning Institute Planning Awards 2025.
“This shortlisting reflects the collective effort of everyone who has been involved in The CUBE’s journey, from its initial funding application back in 2019 to its current success supporting climate action and economic development.
“We see every day how collaboration can drive meaningful change, and this recognition inspires us to continue scaling that impact.”
The winners will be announced at the IPI Planning Awards in Clontarf on September 25.
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