Category E - Excellence in Building Design or Specification
Highly Commended - Gleesons Townhouse & Restaurant
Judges Comments
"There are many developments of existing buildings similar to this redevelopment around the Country. What this particular project illustrated is that with the incorporation of efficient equipment and with the integration of proven sustainable technologies the result is a very low energy building. It also clearly demonstrated how the correct installation and operation of controls on all services and upgrading the building fabric results in substantial energy savings; all for a nominal increase in the overall project cost."
Project Description
This building project entailed the extensive renovation of an existing 100 year old two storey terraced commercial building on Market Square, Roscommon Town.
The building was converted into a ground floor Artisan Deli and four hotel rooms on the first floor. The main objective was to optimise the environmental impact and energy efficiency of the building, thus resulting in a significant reduction in energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the overall running costs of the building.
High levels of insulation have been incorporated throughout the building. Extensive air tightness work was carried out, energy efficient lighting has been installed in 90% of the fixtures and an LPG condensing boiler was installed, with time and temperature zone control, as a primary space and water heating.
Secondary hot water heating is provided by a 10m2 solar hot water system, currently contributing approximately 60% of the annual hot water requirements for the entire building. Ventilation of the first floor is provided by a mechanical ventilation heat recovery unit (MVHR). The excellent air tightness result achieved for the building will ensure that the efficiency of the MVHR unit is maximised.
Innovative energy saving measures are incorporated throughout the entire building, such as plumbing the dishwashers directly to the hot water supply and using motion sensors & timers for lighting making a significant contribution to the overall efficiency of the building.
Winner - University College Cork
Judges Comments
"This project demonstrated how the close collaboration of the client and design team, coupled with the required concept incubation and development time, resulted in a low energy building that performs to a very high standard. It was impressive that the well developed cost effective energy solutions and dynamic building services systems that affected the building structure, shape and form, were integrated in a harmonious way and without compromise. The decision to incorporate an extended commissioning, refinement and client instruction periods in the contract, together with the implementation of extensive monitoring, reporting and control of the systems, has ensured optimum energy savings."
Project Description
The new Post Graduate Library in University College Cork is a flagship building located in the centre of the main campus. Its primary function as the central college library is to provide accommodation for readers and library staff and storage for reference material, in both paper and electronic form. The external structure, a combination of sandstone, copper and glass, serves as a beacon for students and researchers, drawing them towards the library. The internal environment provides quiet, with expansive reading facilities with views of the pleasant campus grounds.
A demanding brief was delivered, some key points of which were:
- Implementation of key Sustainable Design principles
- Provision of a controlled environment with high standards of air quality and lighting
- Maintain a 'quiet' space for readers
- Provide access to printed and electronic forms of information media
- Provide a secure and controlled environment for the Special Collections
- Procurement of the building within the defined cost plan, providing optimum return for capital investment over the life of the building
These criteria presented a challenge to the project team to arrive at low energy solutions for a building which had all the hallmarks of being a major consumer of power and heat.
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