[us_page_title description=”1″ font_size=”1.8rem” inline=”1″]
Client: Limerick Youth Services & JP McManus fund
Value: Greater than €3million
Involvement: Project management, Architectural services, Civil & Structural design and certification.
Design Team: Denison Architects, Linesight, Don O’Malley and Partners, Conack Construction, Terradrive, IGSL.
Following funding approval in 2009 a difficult process of site selection was undertaken. GIS heat mapping of census data and transport routes was used to identify the prime location for the development.
Challenge
A protracted planning process went as far as an oral hearing and this was followed by a difficult land transfer and the loss of the Architect prior to tender. The delays resulted in the erosion of the funding available due to price inflation. The site had previously been used as a quarry hence there was a mix of high level rock and made-up ground.
Solution
The entire building was re-drawn from planning drawings in 3D BIM. This provided better prototyping and visualisation for the non-technical board members. It also enabled more fluid building size adjustment and accurate digital setting out of the multiple curves and overhangs. The structural design involved stepping of piling mat, pile heads and foundations in order to limit dead work and excavation depths. Video of Ground Floor Structure.
Value
Hutch O’Malley McBeath provided project management and architectural services along with civil and structural design and inspection. The combination of the disciplines enabled faster decision making and meant reduced man hours from the design team during the construction stage. Proactive contractor involvement during the project lead to reduction in costs in some areas and flexibility to absorb some site challenges.