West Pier Office Development

The project at West Pier Dun Laoghaire was on an unusual site, to the north it had stunning views over Dun Laoghaire harbour to Dublin Bay and Howth Head, and to the south a steep 15-20m high escarpment bounded the site, so effectively is was at the base of a cliff.

Architecture

The design maximized the potential of the site providing naturally ventilated car parking under a roof garden at the base of the cliff, reducing its dominance over the site while giving optimum views and orientation to the 12,000 sq.m of commercial offices provided in three individual but connected blocks.

A natural limestone faced precast concrete panel was used throughout with stone curved to make the characteristic rounded form of the front of the buildings. The gables and other insitu elements were clad in the same stone, but hand fixed.

Sustainability

A primary requirement of the brief was for an energy efficient, sustainable and cost effective facility. The building incorporates a range of energy efficiency systems including exposed thermal mass, heat pumps for heating and cooling, mixed mode ventilation (displacement, stack and natural) and night time cooling. Discrete integration of building services was fundamental to the project as no suspended ceilings are provided.


A 1MV groundwater heat serves both heating and cooling needs. In heating mode, it uses solar heated groundwater and heat recovered from computer servers. In cooling mode, the ground sink provides free cooling for water cooled chillers.

Post occupancy data recorded energy consumption of 137.4 kWh/m2/year - 46% less than the average university building and even more impressive given the energy intensive uses within this building.

 

Client
Cosgrave Developments

Area
13,000 m²

Status
In Use

 
 

Client  Cosgrave Developments

Location  Dún Laoghaire, Ireland

Status  In Use

Area  13,000 m²

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