dlr Award Winning Sustainable Architecture

Rochestown House, Sallynoggin Phase III was Commended in the Sustainability Category of the Awards. It is the third and final phase in a trilogy of projects set in the former walled garden of Somerton House in Sallynoggin. It provides an additional 14 fully Passive House designed dwellings to the site, including two ground floor full wheelchair accessible units. A fabric first approach with advanced Heat and Power Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation (MHRV) provides fresh air which in combination with high levels of airtightness ensures high internal comfort for residents. The use of green roofs on the new buildings replaces lost green areas and provides for water attenuation. The provision of communal facilities, an all-purpose room that can be used also by the civic groups helps develop ties between the residents and the wider community. Including appropriate planting such as a variety of apple trees with bay laurel hedging recalls the former use of the area as a kitchen garden at Rochestown House.

An Cathaoirleach Councillor Una Power said:

“Energy and Buildings are an important aspect of Climate Action for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The environmental, economic and social sustainability of the buildings are considered in the designs of all dlr housing. Energy efficient design minimises fuel poverty while providing much needed family housing with green spaces”.

Also at the RIAI Awards the architectural practice Architectural Farm received a Commended in the Research category for Fernhill Creative Play on behalf of DLR. For this project as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, they worked with local schools St Mary’s National School and Stepaside Educate Together National School to develop concepts for a future Play Policy for DLR.

SEAI Awards 2020

Separately SSE Airtricity won the Energy in Buildings category at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) 2020 Awards for their deep retrofit refurbishment works of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Moyola Court, Churchtown. The houses were built in the 1970’s and before their upgrade were in poor condition. Supported under the SEAI Deep Retrofit programme, the installation of innovative heating technologies, advanced insulation, heat pumps, renewable generation and battery storage resulted in these inefficient units becoming some of the most efficient and comfortable in the country. The houses were upgraded using Passive House retrofit principles and the BER ratings improved from G to A3 which had a hugely positive impact on the residents.