Mid-Louth Civic Services
Accomodation for Louth County Council, The Office of Public Works and The Courts Service Ardee / Ireland / 2009
2
Architects
van Dijk Architects, Mill House, Mill St. Dundalk, Co. Louth
Jan van Dijk (Director), Michael Martin (Project Architect), Ciarán Savage, Derek McEnteggart.
Client: Louth County Council, Office of Public Works & Courts Service
Value: €4,000,000
Duration: 12 Months
The Mid-Louth Civic Services Centre development comprises of office and workshop facilities for Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works and a non-jury court for the Courts Service. Existing Louth County Council/OPW facilities on site were rundown and required substantial upgrading. The existing Court in Ardee was housed in Ardee Castle which could no longer facilitate the requirements of a modern court building.
Louth County Council, Office of Public Works and the Courts Service formed a tri-party agreement to develop the existing site adjoining the ‘Fair Green’ public park. This building is a success story that chronicles the successful collaboration of different government departments and local authorities. Credit is due to these Clients who sponsored this project which resulted in a landmark building for the North East and created a benchmark for sustainable and dynamic civic buildings of the future.
Brief
The brief was for a ‘Green’ building that would be inviting to the local community and well integrated into the adjoining ‘Fair Green’ public park. The final product is a building with a dynamic architectural design coupled with impressive sustainable credentials. The building was also designed to be accessible and inviting to the public and to become a focal point and part of the local community. The brief for the Court building also included the segregation of circulation routes for the prisoners, judiciary and members of the public.
Concept & Design
A clear and legible marriage of form and function helped achieve the requirement of the brief. In essence, the building is split into 2 parts, one part being the court and the other the Louth County Council/OPW facilities. Both buildings are linked by a brick volume that houses the ancillary facilities of the 2 buildings. The hierarchical spaces of the courtroom and offices are expressed as zinc clad volumes connected to the brick spine. Both zinc volumes are expressed differently, sharing equal status, while clearly expressing their different functions.
The architectural, landscape design and the removal of the existing boundary security fence separating the site from the public park allows the building to merge seamlessly into the public park and metaphorically into the wider community. The building was designed with the use of sustainable materials and technologies, creating a healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants.
The extensive use of timber and natural materials reinforces the connection between the building and its surrounds whilst reflecting the Client’s environmentally friendly intentions. The concept of having 3 combined buildings rather than 3 separate buildings resulted in short and long term cost savings and a much more sustainable approach to the buildings construction and use, post occupancy.
Entrances and circulation routes in the Courthouse are separated between prisoners, judiciary and members of the public. Facilities in the Courthouse include a ‘Non-Jury’ courtroom, holding facilities, legal practitioners room, public consultation room, reception and public waiting area, Judge’s and Clerk of Court’s chambers and ancillary facilities.
Sustainability
It’s obvious from this building’s green credentials that it is a lot more than just a pretty face. This building is a shining example that refined architectural design and sustainable design can co-exist. From the concept stage of this project van Dijk Architects endeavoured to create a balance between the key aspects of the brief and building/community/end-user requirements. The building needed a design that allowed the building to become part of the urban fabric and local community. A ‘Green Building’ instinctively seemed to be the most appropriate option. Apart from the environmentally sustainable credentials of the building listed below the building is sustainable on many more levels.
The building merges seamlessly into its context with the public park on one side and low rise residential and fire station buildings on the opposite side. Another aspect of the building that the architect paid particular attention to was user friendliness, public accessibility and the creation of a comfortable ambient environment for the permanent staff and visitors alike. These key aspects united and complimented each other. Along with an abundance of architectural flair it’s a building that the client and community are proud to call their own.
It is worth noting that every single component of this building was painstakingly investigated in an effort to specify the most sustainable option available in each case. Everything from the foundations to the internal finishes and furniture received the green treatment. In any case where a ‘sustainable’ material or technology was not employed it was simply down to impracticality. This building is proof that contemporary architectural design can also have a sensitive side.
“Green” Credentials
• Super Insulated walls/roofs/glazing/floors/doors/roller shutter doors.
• 3 layers of 80mm sheep wool insulation in the court roof. ‘U’ value = 0.16
• 100mm Bauder PIR insulation on green roof. (Bauder won’t issue ‘U’ values for green roofs due to changeable properties)
• 100mm Bauder PIR insulation on flat roof. ‘U’ value = .22
• 100mm Xtratherm insulation in brick walls (140mm cavity and 215 block inner leaf) ‘U’ value = 0.17
• 100mm Xtratherm insulation in zinc clad walls ‘U’ value = 0.20
• 80mm Kingspan Kooltherm K3 insulation in floors. ‘U’ value = 0.17
• High performance double glazed, argon filled, low ‘E’ timber windows by Rationel (Aluminium windows in court room only and brise soleil by Glass & Alu CAD).
• Use of as much sustainable construction materials and technologies where possible and natural materials rather than synthetic materials.
• Though air tightness testing was not carried out, the building was very carefully detailed and monitored in construction to ensure that the building envelope was as airtight as possible. Other simple measures including the orientation of entrances and providing wind lobbies were introduced.
• Ecocem concrete used in all concrete throughout the project except in blockwork.
• Glulam Timber structure to offices.
• Bauder Sedum roof. Insulative qualities, attenuation qualities, obviously omits 02 and absorbs CO2. Main function is architectural i.e. allows building to sit comfortably in the context of the adjoining “Fair Green” public park. The use of this roof was not a gratuitous fashion statement but a logical and practical solution to the requirements of the building and it’s context.
• Brick external walls. Reclaimed brick was originally specified but this idea was abandoned at tender stage to reduce construction costs.
• Spatial orientation i.e. main working spaces to the south with extensive glazing and ancillary facilities to the north with minimal glazing.
• Maximum use of natural lighting and natural ventilation.
• Offices harness solar gain during winter months but the extensive overhang of the green roof offers solar protection during summer.
• Existing and new Silver Birch trees along the south elevation act as a “Natural Brise Soleil” during the summer and allow solar gain when required during winter months after shedding their leaves.
• Extensive glazing to the south elevation & minimal glazing to the other elevations.
• Attenuation tank in service yard outside workshops.
• Attenuation properties of Green roof i.e. slow release and absorption of rain water run – off.
• The combination of 3 separate buildings in 1 resulted in reduced construction, M&E services etc. and also reduced overall costs.
• Bio-regionalism i.e. employment of local subcontractors/suppliers/tradesmen and use of local materials where possible.
• Van Dijk Architects have BS8555 accreditation. VDA environmental management system was employed throughout this and all other VDA projects within VDA. VDA endeavoured to promote sustainable practice to the entire design and construction teams throughout this project.
M&E
• The only room with mechanical ventilation/air conditioning is the court room. This was unavoidable because of the rapidly changing and sporadic occupancy loading in the court room.
• All other spaces are naturally ventilated.
• 25 kW Wind Turbine.
• Low energy lighting
• Local day lighting controls.
• Lighting presence detection controls.
• Heating and storing of hot water eliminated by electrical water heaters and showers. The building has a very low requirement for hot water, therefore this design feature was the most sustainable option.
• Modulating condensing boilers.
• Weather compensation & room temperature heating controls.
• Local thermostatic control valves.
• Dual flush W.C.s
• Low energy appliances were specified.
Design/Construction Team
Architects
van Dijk Architects
Main Contractor
John Sisk & Son Ltd.
Quantity Surveyor
McGahon Surveyors
Structural & Civil Engineers
Duffy Chartered Engineers
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Consultants
Semple & McKillop Ltd.
van Dijk Architects, Mill House, Mill St. Dundalk, Co. Louth
Jan van Dijk (Director), Michael Martin (Project Architect), Ciarán Savage, Derek McEnteggart.
Client: Louth County Council, Office of Public Works & Courts Service
Value: €4,000,000
Duration: 12 Months
The Mid-Louth Civic Services Centre development comprises of office and workshop facilities for Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works and a non-jury court for the Courts Service. Existing Louth County Council/OPW facilities on site were rundown and required substantial upgrading. The existing Court in Ardee was housed in Ardee Castle which could no longer facilitate the requirements of a modern court building.
Louth County Council, Office of Public Works and the Courts Service formed a tri-party agreement to develop the existing site adjoining the ‘Fair Green’ public park. This building is a success story that chronicles the successful collaboration of different government departments and local authorities. Credit is due to these Clients who sponsored this project which resulted in a landmark building for the North East and created a benchmark for sustainable and dynamic civic buildings of the future.
Brief
The brief was for a ‘Green’ building that would be inviting to the local community and well integrated into the adjoining ‘Fair Green’ public park. The final product is a building with a dynamic architectural design coupled with impressive sustainable credentials. The building was also designed to be accessible and inviting to the public and to become a focal point and part of the local community. The brief for the Court building also included the segregation of circulation routes for the prisoners, judiciary and members of the public.
Concept & Design
A clear and legible marriage of form and function helped achieve the requirement of the brief. In essence, the building is split into 2 parts, one part being the court and the other the Louth County Council/OPW facilities. Both buildings are linked by a brick volume that houses the ancillary facilities of the 2 buildings. The hierarchical spaces of the courtroom and offices are expressed as zinc clad volumes connected to the brick spine. Both zinc volumes are expressed differently, sharing equal status, while clearly expressing their different functions.
The architectural, landscape design and the removal of the existing boundary security fence separating the site from the public park allows the building to merge seamlessly into the public park and metaphorically into the wider community. The building was designed with the use of sustainable materials and technologies, creating a healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants.
The extensive use of timber and natural materials reinforces the connection between the building and its surrounds whilst reflecting the Client’s environmentally friendly intentions. The concept of having 3 combined buildings rather than 3 separate buildings resulted in short and long term cost savings and a much more sustainable approach to the buildings construction and use, post occupancy.
Entrances and circulation routes in the Courthouse are separated between prisoners, judiciary and members of the public. Facilities in the Courthouse include a ‘Non-Jury’ courtroom, holding facilities, legal practitioners room, public consultation room, reception and public waiting area, Judge’s and Clerk of Court’s chambers and ancillary facilities.
Sustainability
It’s obvious from this building’s green credentials that it is a lot more than just a pretty face. This building is a shining example that refined architectural design and sustainable design can co-exist. From the concept stage of this project van Dijk Architects endeavoured to create a balance between the key aspects of the brief and building/community/end-user requirements. The building needed a design that allowed the building to become part of the urban fabric and local community. A ‘Green Building’ instinctively seemed to be the most appropriate option. Apart from the environmentally sustainable credentials of the building listed below the building is sustainable on many more levels.
The building merges seamlessly into its context with the public park on one side and low rise residential and fire station buildings on the opposite side. Another aspect of the building that the architect paid particular attention to was user friendliness, public accessibility and the creation of a comfortable ambient environment for the permanent staff and visitors alike. These key aspects united and complimented each other. Along with an abundance of architectural flair it’s a building that the client and community are proud to call their own.
It is worth noting that every single component of this building was painstakingly investigated in an effort to specify the most sustainable option available in each case. Everything from the foundations to the internal finishes and furniture received the green treatment. In any case where a ‘sustainable’ material or technology was not employed it was simply down to impracticality. This building is proof that contemporary architectural design can also have a sensitive side.
“Green” Credentials
• Super Insulated walls/roofs/glazing/floors/doors/roller shutter doors.
• 3 layers of 80mm sheep wool insulation in the court roof. ‘U’ value = 0.16
• 100mm Bauder PIR insulation on green roof. (Bauder won’t issue ‘U’ values for green roofs due to changeable properties)
• 100mm Bauder PIR insulation on flat roof. ‘U’ value = .22
• 100mm Xtratherm insulation in brick walls (140mm cavity and 215 block inner leaf) ‘U’ value = 0.17
• 100mm Xtratherm insulation in zinc clad walls ‘U’ value = 0.20
• 80mm Kingspan Kooltherm K3 insulation in floors. ‘U’ value = 0.17
• High performance double glazed, argon filled, low ‘E’ timber windows by Rationel (Aluminium windows in court room only and brise soleil by Glass & Alu CAD).
• Use of as much sustainable construction materials and technologies where possible and natural materials rather than synthetic materials.
• Though air tightness testing was not carried out, the building was very carefully detailed and monitored in construction to ensure that the building envelope was as airtight as possible. Other simple measures including the orientation of entrances and providing wind lobbies were introduced.
• Ecocem concrete used in all concrete throughout the project except in blockwork.
• Glulam Timber structure to offices.
• Bauder Sedum roof. Insulative qualities, attenuation qualities, obviously omits 02 and absorbs CO2. Main function is architectural i.e. allows building to sit comfortably in the context of the adjoining “Fair Green” public park. The use of this roof was not a gratuitous fashion statement but a logical and practical solution to the requirements of the building and it’s context.
• Brick external walls. Reclaimed brick was originally specified but this idea was abandoned at tender stage to reduce construction costs.
• Spatial orientation i.e. main working spaces to the south with extensive glazing and ancillary facilities to the north with minimal glazing.
• Maximum use of natural lighting and natural ventilation.
• Offices harness solar gain during winter months but the extensive overhang of the green roof offers solar protection during summer.
• Existing and new Silver Birch trees along the south elevation act as a “Natural Brise Soleil” during the summer and allow solar gain when required during winter months after shedding their leaves.
• Extensive glazing to the south elevation & minimal glazing to the other elevations.
• Attenuation tank in service yard outside workshops.
• Attenuation properties of Green roof i.e. slow release and absorption of rain water run – off.
• The combination of 3 separate buildings in 1 resulted in reduced construction, M&E services etc. and also reduced overall costs.
• Bio-regionalism i.e. employment of local subcontractors/suppliers/tradesmen and use of local materials where possible.
• Van Dijk Architects have BS8555 accreditation. VDA environmental management system was employed throughout this and all other VDA projects within VDA. VDA endeavoured to promote sustainable practice to the entire design and construction teams throughout this project.
M&E
• The only room with mechanical ventilation/air conditioning is the court room. This was unavoidable because of the rapidly changing and sporadic occupancy loading in the court room.
• All other spaces are naturally ventilated.
• 25 kW Wind Turbine.
• Low energy lighting
• Local day lighting controls.
• Lighting presence detection controls.
• Heating and storing of hot water eliminated by electrical water heaters and showers. The building has a very low requirement for hot water, therefore this design feature was the most sustainable option.
• Modulating condensing boilers.
• Weather compensation & room temperature heating controls.
• Local thermostatic control valves.
• Dual flush W.C.s
• Low energy appliances were specified.
Design/Construction Team
Architects
van Dijk Architects
Main Contractor
John Sisk & Son Ltd.
Quantity Surveyor
McGahon Surveyors
Structural & Civil Engineers
Duffy Chartered Engineers
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Consultants
Semple & McKillop Ltd.
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Architectsvan Dijk Architects, Mill House, Mill St. Dundalk, Co. LouthJan van Dijk (Director), Michael Martin (Project Architect), Ciarán Savage, Derek McEnteggart.Client: Louth County Council, Office of Public Works & Courts ServiceValue: €4,000,000Duration: 12 MonthsThe Mid-Louth Civic Services Centre development comprises of office and workshop facilities for Louth County Council and the Office of Public Works and a non-jury court for the Courts Service. Existing Louth County Council/OPW...
- Year 2009
- Main structure Mixed structure
- Client Louth County Council
- Contractor John Sisk & Son Ltd.
- Cost €4,000,000
- Status Completed works
- Type Parks, Public Gardens / Government and institutional buildings / multi-purpose civic centres / Office Buildings / Law Courts
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