Publication
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Wexford
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Published on
Last updated on
In 2005, the OPW commenced the project to provide accommodation for the staff of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DECLG) with a clear objective that the new office should be a flagship of environmentally sustainable design and construction.
The brief had to meet the criteria of the Sustainable Building Award, including Sustainable site development, Lifetime adaptable design, Green Materials and components, Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy Resources and Water conservation.
Pierse Contracting Ltd., was awarded the €18.6 million contract in June 2007.
The design concept for DECLG in Wexford is of a sustainable building addressing the Slaney estuary using two curved and sliding interlocked building forms to create a sheltering protective image while cutting into the hillside to integrate with its gently sloping green site. The 2.025ha site was acquired from Wexford County Council.
Two wings each capable of expansion are interlocked by a glazed internal garden atrium space which is available for public performances, exhibitions and receptions, as well as acting as the assembly space for the conference rooms. The office areas are designed to maximise daylighting and contact between the interior and the exterior. The building has a narrow plan (13.5m at its widest) in order for all areas to receive natural daylight and provide the occupants with a view out.
The environmental approach to the site's ecology and the building design integrates the external and internal areas and finishes of the building.
The green roof provides insulating properties and prolongs the life expectancy of the roof materials, it also serves to attenuate rainfall on site by absorbing the rain and feeding it into a storage tank for use in toilet flushing and irrigation. Water saving systems have been used in all the wash rooms. Rainfall is further attenuated on site through the use of permeable paving in the car-park. The green roof visibly flags up the environmental credentials of the building.
Pierse Contracting Ltd were due to complete the building by end December 2008, unfortunately the building was not available for occupation until March 2010. The 6,586sqm building provides accommodation for approximately 280 staff. The furniture fit-out was carried out by OPW Furniture Branch.
Electrical: Seamus Byrne, Wexford Road Business Park, Carlow
Mechanical: Kirby, Monivea Road, Ballybane, Galway