Recent Conservation Projects In Dublin North

Eithne Moran, Senior Architect Dublin North

In addition to providing a reactive maintenance service, OPW Property Maintenance is responsible for carrying out planned and preventative maintenance and minor capital works in the State’s portfolio of owned and leased buildings. As part of this programme of work, the Dublin North Regional Office has recently carried out some significant conservation projects to maintain, repair, and refurbish a number of protected structures.

Scoil Caomhin, Department of Education campus, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1

Scoil Caomhin completed external view

Conservation works were carried out in 2020/2021 to repair the façade of this school, originally built as a laboratory building in 1902. There was extensive cracking, and large areas of the existing sand-cement render had failed and become detached from their substrate. There was also damage to ornamental details including dentils, string courses, and cornices.

The render was removed, structural repairs carried out to masonry and brickwork, and the building re-rendered in lime, with a ruled ashlar finish. New lead dressings were provided to string courses, and timber sash windows were also refurbished. The school remained open and fully operational throughout.

Team: Dermot Hally (Dublin North); Alan Bruce (OPW M+E); Ian Wolfe (OPW CSE); 7L Architects (consultants); Carron and Walsh (Consultant QS); P.J.Hegarty (Measured Term Maintenance Contractor)

Contract sum: c.€570k ex VAT

Clontarf Garda Station

Clontarf Garda Station

Built in 1909 to designs by Robert Cochrane, this building retains its early form, character and much of its fabric. Significant deterioration of the brickwork, due to its exposed location on Clontarf seafront, necessitated a programme of facade repairs, as well as repointing of chimneys and refurbishment of all rainwater goods. Methods of brick repair included pigmented lime slurry; pigmented mortar repairs; and replacement bricks to match existing; as well as repointing with lime mortar. All timber windows, as well as the fascia and soffit, with its ornamental brackets, were also repaired and refurbished.

Team: Paul Condon (Dublin North); Colin Blanche (OPW M+E); 7L Architects (Consultants); Oldstone Conservation (Main Contractor).

Contract sum: c.€220k ex VAT

Deerkeeper’s Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

Deerkeeper’s Lodge

Designed by Jacob Owen, and built c.1840, this lodge was one of several buildings built to accommodate specific management roles in the Park. Dublin North carried out an extensive refurbishment of the house in 2020/2021, including dry lining external walls, new floor finishes; new kitchen / bathroom fit outs, as well as repairs to roofs, windows, and outhouses.

Team: Sean Lynam (Dublin North); Sheridan Woods Architects (Consultants); Cundall (Consultant M+E Engineers); Gibson Builders (Main Contractor)

Contract sum: c.€350k ex VAT

Mountjoy House, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

Mountjoy House

Mountjoy House was built in c.1728, and forms part of the Ordnance Survey campus in the Phoenix Park. Works comprised full re-roofing, including new battens, slates, ridge tiles, and lead work; repair of existing roof vents and cupolas; and refurbishment of all rainwater goods. Repairs were also carried out to chimneys, including repointing and re-rendering. Internally, all structural timbers were repaired. Works are currently nearing completion, and will safeguard the building against further deterioration while longer-term plans are developed for its refurbishment.

Team: Martin Brennan and Michael Farrell (Dublin North); CORA (Consultant Engineers); Leonard and Williams (QS); Barbary Roofing (Main Contractor)

Contract Sum c. €637k ex VAT

Officers’ Club, Garda HQ, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

Officers’ Club

The Officers’ Club in Garda Headquarters dates from 1863, and was designed by Enoch Trevor Owen. This project was initiated in response to previous emergency works that had led to the installation of protective netting under a number of decorative plaster ceilings at first floor. Works comprised the repair and re-finishing of these ceilings by specialist stuccadores, which required major structural interventions at second floor level, including replacement of existing modern stud walls with timber braced partitions, and new steel supports. Extensive fire safety works were also carried out at attic level, and new methods of safe maintenance access installed.

Team: Gavin Skelly (Dublin North); Susan Nakazibwe (Graduate Architect); John Doyle (OPW M+E); CORA (Consultant Engineers); Leonard and Williams (QS); Tolmac Construction (Main Contractor); Richard Calder (OPW Fire and Security).

Contract sum: c.€300k ex VAT