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.

Housing for the Elderly, Bulfin Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8

The project formed part of the overall redevelopment of St. Michael’s Estate in Inchicore, Dublin.

Project Details:

This development comprised of 51 no. one bedroom apartments in single and two storey blocks for elderly tenants of Dublin City Council.
The project formed part of the overall redevelopments of St. Michael’s Estate, Inchicore.
The new Community Centre was constructed as part of this development to provide communal facilities for the residents of Bulfin Court and also to serve the wider community.

Scoil Mhuire National School, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

Project Details:

In July 2013, the Department of Education prioritised funding to facilitate the construction of schools in rapidly developing areas such as Saggart, Co. Dublin. Scoil Mhuire National School was tendered on a design and build basis in October 2013. It was intended that the school would be operational by the start of the school term in September 2014/15. The commencement date was 20th January 2014 and construction of the school was completed within a 32-week programme.

Power Seeds Ltd Showroom

Project Details:

Construction of a 779 sqm new office and showroom facility.
Also included in the project was the construction of an infill logistics warehouse which was located between two existing warehouses.
Construction was completed on this project in 5 months even though part of the works were carried out on the site of the existing logistics and wholesale business.

C&C Warehouse

The C&C Warehouse project involved the design and construction of a logistics warehouse extension to the existing C&C warehouse/office facility in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.

Project Details

Project works comprised the construction of a new warehouse building and mezzanine offices totalling 6,855 sqm as an extension to the existing building
There was also the construction of separate recycling buildings with an area of 326 sqm and a forklift recharging bunker with an area of 153 sqm.
ABM were appointed as design and build contractor for this project
The scope of work involved preparation of the fire certificate application, successfully obtaining planning permission, as well as the construction of the overall project
A critical element of the work was to meet a very tight programme of five months from commencement of construction to handover of the warehouse. This target was achieved by innovative design prefabricating a substantial portion of the work off-site
The use of precast rising walls, dock levellers and infill wall panels ensured that the substructure works were complete less than a month before possession of the site.

Oaktree Business Park

Designed and planned by ABM’s in-house design team and constructed by ABM Construction, this “L” shaped building contained 20% ground floor office space, constructed to accommodate a mezzanine level.

Project Details

Situated at Site 6 in Oaktree Industrial Estate, Trim, Co. Meath, this project consisted of the construction of a main light industrial unit which was divided into nine internal units varying in size between 215 sqm and 355 sqm each.
The building structure was constructed with a steel portal frame fabricated from steel.
The internal precast concrete walls were fabricated off-site which was beneficial to the project programme.
The external façade was finished with a mix of metallic silver Kingspan cladding and a buff finished forticrete block.
The roof was completed with Kingspan RW panels and polycarbonate roof lights.
Each unit included office space which covered approximately 25% of the floor area and also included provision of a mezzanine level for future office expansion.
The office area included a mixture of open plan and private offices, conference rooms and meeting areas. Construction of these areas was primarily raised metal floors, stud partition and suspended ceilings.
IT Infrastructure was also incorporated into the design.
The units also included shower rooms, changing/ locker rooms and general welfare facilities such as a canteen.
Sustainability
The orientation of the building enabled the maximisation of prevailing winds, i.e. cooling breezes.
Integrated glazing and cladding panels were used to reduce thermal bridging.
Low energy double glazed windows, used to cover 40% of each elevation, were used to optimise solar gain.
Low carbon precast concrete panels were also used to help reduce the carbon foot-print of the building and as a method of reducing construction time.

Community Nursing Unit at Clonskeagh Hospital Campus, Dublin 14. (100 Beds)

Project Details:

The pods were specifically designed to cater to the end user and incorporate all building regulations, with specific emphasis on the TGD Part M.
The pod specification consists of a steel cube like rigid structure with continuous weld joints to a total height of 2517 mm. This unit is finished internally to match a specified finish within the room in which the pod is amalgamated.
A high standard ironmongery and internal finish is incorporated into each pod. These include the installation of ironmongery, sanitary ware, tiling, light fittings switches, accessories, mechanical services (plumbing connections of hot & cold mains water supplies, waste outlets, extraction fans) and electrical services (supply and component installation such as wiring).
All installations are integrated during manufacture leaving the simplistic process of simply connecting the service tails to the building’s main services once the pod is installed on-site. Each pod leaving the factory is fully fitted, fully tested and built to exact specifications, with every detail considered and checked. They are craned into position on-site and the necessary mechanical & electrical connections are made.

Control of Quality:

The manufacturer operates within a controlled environment. They achieve levels of quality and consistency that may be hard to attain on-site due to externalities.

Control of Time Frame:

Using off-site construction as a rapid form of construction, delivery times can be guaranteed, the manufacturer for instance is not at the mercy of the weather as with traditional construction. If necessary, the manufacturer can ramp up production by working weekends or using shift work to meet commitments.

Control of Costs:

Off-site construction is very competitive; finished pods can be delivered to site at exactly the right time to slot in with the construction programme. The overall size of work force required on site is reduced, less risk of accidents, lower insurance premiums & minimal waste disposal on site.

Control of Information:

By using off-site construction, the pod is seen as a package which all trades are involved in from the out-set. This generates an inclusive, pro-active sharing of information, the end result being a pod solution delivered to site which fits seamlessly.

Components:

Windows – Glazing consisting of thermally broken aluminum profiles extruded from aluminum alloy complying with BS1474 with 24 mm double glazed units with low ‘e’ argon filled glazing units were installed. The required glazing and curtain wall systems are all prefabricated off-site in a controlled environment.
Door Systems – To facilitate an advantageous programme, advanced planning composite door sets were used. These door systems ensure total compatibility of sizes, materials and performance.
Roof Systems – The advantages of this particular prefabricated roof system are: Quality control, cost of construction, rapid installation, roof shapes – any roof shape such as gables and hips can be achieved. Trusses are custom-made to any design, pitch or span to suit that particular building.
The building was constructed with a high emphasis on build quality & durability using an IBA certified Fusion steel framed building system. The Fusion system is craned into position on-site with extreme efficiency with regard to installation and programme.

Sustainability:

Off-site manufacturing works in hand with sustainability for the following reasons:

Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a system build compared to an equivalent traditionally-built project.
Off-site manufacturing can generate up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and disruption.
Off-site construction can reduce on-site waste by up to 90 per cent.

Substation – This project involved the construction of free-standing Electricity sub-stations in accordance with ESB Networks guidelines and specifications. Incorporated along with these buildings is a corresponding customer switch room to accommodate mains boards, switch gear and meter points.

Civil works – included provision of cast in situ concrete bases and plinths, forming and construction of cast in-situ duct channels and pits, supply and install of earth mats and provision for a 4 hr fire resisting enclosure. All mains cable ducting to ESB Networks nominated connection points including all mini-pillars vaults, joint boxes and earthing points were included in our scope. Adequate provision for vehicular access was also allowed for in design and location of the Sub-Station enclosure.

External finishes – were applied to match with that of the surrounding buildings.

Community Nursing Unit at St. Brendan’s Hospital, Loughrea, Co. Galway. (100 Beds)

Project Details:

The pods were specifically designed to cater to the end user and incorporate all building regulations, with specific emphasis on TGD Part M.
The pod specification consists of a steel cube like rigid structure with continuous weld joints to a total height of 2517 mm.
This unit is finished internally to match a specified finish within the room in which the pod is amalgamated.
A high standard ironmongery and internal finish is incorporated into each pod.
All installations are integrated during manufacture leaving the simplistic process of simply connecting the service tails to the building’s main services once the pod is installed on-site.
Each pod leaving the factory is fully fitted, fully tested and built to exact specifications, with every detail considered and checked. They are craned into position on-site and the necessary mechanical & electrical connections are made.
The manufacturer operates within a controlled environment. They achieve levels of quality and consistency that may be hard to attain on-site due to externalities.

Control of Time Frame:

Using off-site construction as a rapid form of construction, delivery times can be guaranteed, the manufacturer for instance is not at the mercy of the weather as with traditional construction. If necessary, the manufacturer can ramp up production by working weekends or using shift work to meet commitments.

Control of Costs:

Off-site construction is very competitive; finished pods can be delivered to site at exactly the right time to slot in with the construction programme. The overall size of work force required on site is reduced, less risk of accidents, lower insurance premiums & minimal waste disposal on site.

Control of Information:

By using off-site construction, the pod is seen as a package which all trades are involved in from the out-set. This generates an inclusive, pro-active sharing of information, the end result being a pod solution delivered to site which fits seamlessly.

Components

Windows – Glazing consisting of thermally broken aluminum profiles extruded from aluminum alloy complying with BS1474 with 24 mm double glazed units with low ‘e’ argon filled glazing units were installed. The required glazing and curtain wall systems are all prefabricated off-site in a controlled environment. The windows are manufactured simultaneously and delivered to site in bulk. The advantages of this type of window system installation are that they can be installed simultaneously along with the other building elements to allow the building to become watertight. This creates an internal working environment for all internal trades.

Door Systems – In traditional construction, the on-site fabrication and provision of doors, frames, ironmongery, decorating, integrated glazing and ancillary fire stopping can be extremely inefficient. In order to facilitate an advantageous programme, advanced planning composite door sets were used. These door systems ensure total compatibility of sizes, materials and performance.

Roof Systems – The advantages of this particular prefabricated roof system are:quality control, cost of construction, rapid installation, roof shapes

The building was constructed with a high emphasis on build quality & durability using an IBA certified Fusion steel framed building system. The Fusion system is craned into position on-site with extreme efficiency with regard to installation and programme.

Sustainability:
Off-site manufacturing works in hand with sustainability for the following reasons:

Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a system build compared to an equivalent traditionally-built project.
Off-site manufacturing can generate up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and disruption.
Off-site construction can reduce on-site waste by up to 90 per cent.

Substation -This project involved the construction of integrated Electricity sub-stations in accordance with ESB Networks guidelines and specifications. Incorporated along with these buildings is a corresponding customer switch room to accommodate mains boards, switch gear and meter points.

Civil works – included provision of cast in situ concrete bases and plinths, forming and construction of cast in-situ duct channels and pits, supply and install of earth mats and provision for a 4 hr fire resisting enclosure. All mains cable ducting to ESB Networks nominated connection points including all mini-pillars vaults, joint boxes and earthing points were included in our scope. Adequate provision for vehicular access was also allowed for in design and location of the Sub-Station enclosure.

External finishes – were applied to match with that of the surrounding buildings.

Community Nursing Unit at St. Michael’s Estate, Inchicore, Dublin 8. (50 Beds)

Project Details:

The pods were specifically designed to cater to the end user and incorporate all building regulations, with specific emphasis on TGD Part M.
A high standard ironmongery and internal finish is incorporated into each pod.
All installations are integrated during manufacture leaving the simplistic process of simply connecting the service tails to the building’s main services once the pod is installed on-site.
Each pod leaving the factory is fully fitted, fully tested and built to exact specifications, with every detail considered and checked. They are craned into position on-site and the necessary mechanical & electrical connections are made.

Control of Quality:

The manufacturer operates within a controlled environment. They achieve levels of quality and consistency that may be hard to attain on-site due to externalities.

Control of Time Frame:

Using off-site construction as a rapid form of construction, delivery times can be guaranteed, the manufacturer for instance is not at the mercy of the weather as with traditional construction. If necessary, the manufacturer can ramp up production by working weekends or using shift work to meet commitments.

Control of Costs:

Off-site construction is very competitive; finished pods can be delivered to site at exactly the right time to slot in with the construction programme. The overall size of work force required on site is reduced, less risk of accidents, lower insurance premiums and minimal waste disposal on site.

Control of Information:

By using off-site construction, the pod is seen as a package which all trades are involved in from the out-set. This generates an inclusive, pro-active sharing of information, the end result being a pod solution delivered to site which fits seamlessly.

Components

Roof Systems – The advantages of this particular prefabricated roof system are: quality control, cost of construction, rapid installation, roof shapes – any roof shape such as gables and hips can be achieved. Trusses are custom-made to any design, pitch or span to suit that particular building.

Sustainability:

Off-site manufacturing works in hand with sustainability for the following reasons:

Up to 67 per cent less energy is required to produce a system build compared to an equivalent traditionally-built project.
Off-site manufacturing can generate up to 90 per cent fewer vehicle movements to site, reducing carbon emissions, congestion and disruption.
Off-site construction can reduce on-site waste by up to 90 per cent.

Substation –This project involved the construction of integrated Electricity sub-stations in accordance with ESB Networks guidelines and specifications. Incorporated along with these buildings is a corresponding customer switch room to accommodate mains boards, switch gear and meter points.

External finishes – were applied to match with that of the surrounding buildings.