St. Catherine’s National School, Rush, Co. Dublin.

Project Details:

The construction of a proposed new two storey 16 classroom school with a GP Hall, Library/Resource room, ancillary accommodation and associated site works.

This required the demolition of the existing school buildings and removal of the existing prefabricated buildings under a phased programme along with the provision of temporary accommodation for part duration of the construction works.

Contractors Representative
Design and Construction team leader
To manage the design team members in the development and co-ordination of rapid build construction techniques and to ensure that the relevant information was available to achieve both the rapid start on site date and to adhere to the fast track programme
Sanctioning of all design decisions to ensure these were solutions which could achieve the rapid build programme
Ensuring that the design development adhered to the procurement and manufacture schedules, in particular the off-site production programme for the Kingspan panellised system used
Responsibility for all on-site construction activities
Responsibility for the management and co-ordination of health and safety matters on-site in our role as PSCS
Responsibility for the delivery of the project to a tight schedule including the commissioning and compliance with Schedule A of the DoES requirements for handover

Tullamore Educate Together National School, Co. Offaly.

Project Details:

The design and build consortium planned a fast-track on-site construction duration of 34 weeks. Tullamore ETNS (Lot 22.2) was part of 4 new build schools awarded to ABM by the Department of Education Rapid Build Programme 2014-2015 and consisted of a total floor area of 1638 sq. m.

Contractors Representative
Design and Construction team leader
To manage the design team members in the development and co-ordination of rapid build construction techniques and to ensure that the relevant information was available to achieve both the rapid start on site date and to adhere to the fast track programme
Sanctioning of all design decisions to ensure these were solutions which could achieve the rapid build programme
Ensuring that the design development adhered to the procurement and manufacture schedules, in particular the off-site production programme for the Kingspan panellised system used
Responsibility for all on-site construction activities
Responsibility for the management and co-ordination of health and safety matters on-site in our role as PSCS
Responsibility for the delivery of the project to a tight schedule including the commissioning and compliance with Schedule A of the DoE requirements for handover

St. Finian’s National School, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.

Project Details:

The design and build consortium planned a fast-track on-site construction duration of 38 week. With a total area of 4500 sq. m and 24 no. classrooms, this was one of four school new-build contracts awarded to ABM by the Department of Education Rapid Build Programme 2015/2016.

In July 2014, the Department of Education prioritised funding to facilitate the construction of schools in rapidly developing areas such as St. Finian’s, Newcastle, Co. Dublin. It was intended that the school would be operational by the start of the school term in September 2015/16 with practical completion and possession taken by teachers and pupils prior to the end of term 2014/2015 for full orientation before the new term starts.

The project consisted of the construction of a 2 storey national school comprising of 24 no. Classrooms, 6 no. support teaching classrooms and ancillary accommodation. The site works to the school grounds involved of the provision of 2 no. ball courts, bike shed, 1 no. junior play area gardens & landscaping boundary treatments. New roundabout and set down area, disabled parking and teacher parking provision.

Contractors Representative
Design and Construction team leader
To manage the design team members in the development and co-ordination of rapid build construction techniques and to ensure that the relevant information was available to achieve both the rapid start on site date and to adhere to the fast track programme
Sanctioning of all design decisions to ensure these were solutions which could achieve the rapid build programme
Ensuring that the design development adhered to the procurement and manufacture schedules, in particular the off-site production programme for the Kingspan panellised system used
Responsibility for all on-site construction activities
Responsibility for the management and co-ordination of health and safety matters on-site in our role as PSCS
Responsibility for the delivery of the project to a tight schedule including the commissioning and compliance with Schedule A of the DoE requirements for handover

Bloomfield Apartment & Town House Development, DUBLIN 4

This prestigious development involved the construction and project management of a multi-storey residential scheme of 186 no. units consisting of 172 no. apartments, 14 no. townhouses in four apartment blocks and a 186-space car park, located on a former part of the secluded “Avila” grounds of the Carmelite Order in Donnybrook, Dublin 4. The site is characterised by large mature trees, old limestone boundary walls and the original red brick convent building itself.

Apartments:
The four apartment blocks are five and six-storeys high with the upper level penthouses set back. These blocks are arranged around a central courtyard on three sides, maximising the living room aspects to a green landscaped garden below. This inner face of the scheme is primarily a series of horizontal glass bands, a glass skin made up of glazed screens and balcony balustrades, reflecting the existing trees. The outer face, in contrast, consists of more solid brick and stone clad volumes, punctured by a vertical window ope, lending more privacy to the scheme and to the surrounding neighbours.

The apartment buildings are constructed of in-situ concrete walls, columns, balconies, stair and lift cores, pre-cast concrete floors and a steel framed penthouse structure. The courtyard windows are 2.4m panels with composite powder coated aluminium-timber frames combined with flat aluminium panels. The balconies are timber decked with glazed balustrades, sub-divided by concrete fin walls or obscured glazed panels.

Parking:
186 no. car spaces in a basement car park are accessed from Block B. The basement extends across the site to provide direct lift access to all apartments. There is secure parking provided for 200 no. bicycles at basement level as well as a bicycle shelter at ground level.

ABM Construction were awarded the Bank of Ireland Opus Architecture & Construction Award in the Highly-Commended Category for the Bloomfield project.

Topaz Petrol Station, Naas Dual Carriageway, Co. Kildare.

Located on the Naas Dual Carraigeway, this project involved the demolition of the existing service station, forecourt, removal of the existing underground tanks and all associated services. Construction work included a new retail unit, forecourts, below ground petrol storage tanks and associated fuel pumping equipment for both HGV’s and cars.

The service station was kept live during demolition and construction works which were phased to minimise the impact to all users. This necessitated effective project management and co-ordination of all relevant specialist sub-contractors associated with these works. In particular, the co-ordination of services required specific planning and careful execution owing to the complexity of fuel lines and regular services to the retail building combined with the presence of live services which were required to be kept in operation throughout the project.

ABM also carried out the installation of associated new infrastructure such as new access roads and IT infrastructure to support the new high-tech service station.

Many challenges presented themselves with this project. Examples of these included traffic and public access management during construction removal of contaminated waste and the presence of overhead power lines.

This project was completed successfully and ABM maintained their excellent Health and Safety record.

Belgard Motors, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (Refurbishment of Motor Dealership)

Project Details:

Refurbishment, fit-out and rebuild of a large motor dealership.
ABM also undertook the upgrade works associated with the external paving of the forecourt area and the installation of a vehicular lift to access the Roof Car Park along with all external landscaping, site works and external paving.
All internal finishes were to an extremely high standard with stainless steel curved staircases, mosaic tiled floors, high specification lighting and a generous use of glazing.
This 3,600 m2 project took 12 months for completion and was carried out in a ‘live’ working environment.
ABM programmed the project in phases in order to accommodate the continuance of business on the premises without any disruption to the client whilst works were underway.
All health and safety matters took high priority on this project due to the ongoing access to the premises by the general public and ABM maintained their excellent Health and Safety Record throughout.

Apartment Development at Stepaside, Dublin 18

Consisted of the construction of five apartment blocks totalling 6,400 sqm containing a total of 79 no. apartments/penthouses and underground parking for each block. The grounds of the development were set in a landscaped area which was surrounded in natural beauty, which was an important consideration in the design of the apartments.

Project Details

The buildings were constructed using a fast-track precast inner leaf which assisted in keeping construction costs at a minimum.
The external façade was finished with a combination of brick, stone cladding, vertical cladding timber cladding and curtain walling.

Dundrum Apartment Development, Dublin 14

This project necessitated the performance of an archaeological dig as it is next to the historic Dundrum Castle.

Project Details:

This project, consisted of the construction of 63 high specification apartment units, in 3 separate blocks, size, 5,200m².
At the outset, ABM facilitated an archaeological dig on the site, as it is immediately adjacent to the historic Dundrum Castle.
The development is constructed on a steep embankment beside the Dundrum Bypass across the road form the new Dundrum Shopping Centre.
ABM carried out some slope stabilization work to ensure the safety of the new construction.
The project duration was 12 months and construction was fast-tracked due to the archaeological and site issues mention above.

Cork Street Apartment Development, Dublin 8

Project Details:

Works included the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the construction of two blocks of apartments and one block of townhouses – all with access to the underground car park.
The apartments comprised a combination of one and two bedroom layouts while the townhouse had a three bedroom layout.
A central courtyard provides access to Block B apartments and the town houses and also serves as an open outdoor area.
Apartment Block A is accessed directly from the street.
Block A is a six-storey RC structure with 38 apartments and a penthouse, which are served by 2 no. lifts. This block has frontage on Marrowbone Lane.
Block B is a four-storey RC structure comprising of six apartments. This block has frontage onto Cork Street and is served by 1 no. lift.
The Ground Floor consists of Retail Units fronting unto Cork Street and Marrowbone Lane.
All fit-out work and internal finishes were carried out to a high specification.
The facades to the apartments and townhouses were finished in a combination of clay brick, stone cladding and timber panelling.
A paved courtyard featured timber clad louvres to ventilate the underground carpark.

Co-operative Social Housing Development, South Gloucester Street, Dublin 2

Project Details:

The construction consisted of 19 dual aspect cooperative social housing units in three, four and five-storey buildings together with a self contained 30m2 committee room, all of which were erected on an existing sub-structure, forming part of a basement car-park over the whole area of the site.
The project included the fitting-out of the existing committee room to form one housing unit. The shared community open space was finished in brick paving with vehicular access from South Gloucester Street. The buildings were constructed using traditional building techniques i.e. load bearing cavity blockwork walls with an external brickwork leaf, and with precast concrete floor panels with timber and slate roofing.
The development was constructed on top of an existing reinforced concrete sub-structure (basement box and podium slab).
The site working parameters were extremely restrictive i.e. deliveries, car parking, access, waste removal, etc.
Health and safety standards were met and exceeded and site coordination was mandatory during the construction of the project.
ABM’s comprehensive programme and traffic management plans facilitated the construction of these units within the confines of a restricted site boundary.
All internal fit-out works were to a high specification.

Sustainability

In accordance with the Design Brief, the apartment blocks were constructed to facilitate a passive environment entailing low-e light fittings, excellent natural daylight, natural ventilation and stale air recycling. The building elements were specified with a high emphasis on sustainability & efficiency.
Energy conservation was conveyed through thermal performance & air tightness requirements which, when constructed, surpassed part L requirements.
A highly efficient exhaust heat pump unit was installed into each apartment unit which provides main space heating and hot water supply to each residential unit.
The heat production is safe and economical with integrated hot water heater (170 litres), immersion heater, circulation pump and control system.
A building energy rating certificate and advisory report formed part were carried out by NABCO in order to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations. The Building energy rating survey was carried out in January 2012 which resulted in the building receiving a highly sustainable building energy rating band.
Other sustainable technology incorporated into the design such as 100% low energy lighting CFL bulbs will reduce end user costs and carbon footprints for each dwelling significantly.