Environmental

Restoration of Historic Walls

As part of our building programme of works at Tearmann House, we agreed to undertake an extensive restoration project for the walled garden on the site. After consultation with our Conservation Architect, it was revealed that the stone wall enclosing the garden had a rich history dating back to the mid-1700's but had deteriorated significantly over time. To restore the wall to its former glory, we made the decision to dismantle it with each stone being carefully cleaned and prepared for reuse in the reconstruction process. The entire restoration project took approximately nine months to complete. By carrying out this restoration work, we aimed to preserve the historical significance of the walled garden while ensuring its structural integrity for years to come.

Stones are gathered, washed, graded and placed into bags for rebuilding the walled garden.

Stones being cleaned and bagged, ready to be built on a new foundation.

Reconstruction of walled garden containing wind posts to provide structural stability.

Aerial view of the rebuilding of the walled garden.

Internal view of the newly reconstructed walls.

Reconstructing the Boundary Wall

The boundary wall along Flemington Road was constructed in stages at approximately the same time as the walled garden. As the boundary wall adjoins the main road, the previous owners of the property had undertaken some maintenance and repair works over the years to the external façade of the boundary wall. However, little repair or maintenance had been undertaken to the internal face of the wall, meaning the boundary also required significant repairs. One particular section of the wall was at risk of collapse which represented a major health and safety risk given the proximity to the main road, and therefore, urgent action was taken to demolish and rebuild this section of wall. As part of the overall works at Tearmann House, we are in the process of repairing and rebuilding the entire length of the boundary wall to ensure its structural stability and that this historic stone wall stands for generations to come to protect the built heritage of the area.

Section of the boundary wall along Flemington Road which was at risk of collapse.

Careful demolition starts with all stone bagged for reuse during the reconstruction.

The section of the boundary wall rebuilt as seen from the inside of Tearmann House.

Capturing the various stages of reconstructing the boundary wall along Flemington Road.

All vegetation removed, mortar joints raked out and repointed with lime mortar.

Repairs completed to lower section of wall, with works commencing to upper section.

Green Fleet

We were delighted to introduce electric vehicles into our fleet this year. Kangoo E-Tech vehicles are 100% electric and offer the same generous load capacity of their equivalent diesel versions but with lower operating and maintenance costs, primarily due to the reduced reliance on fossil fuels, fewer moving parts, and less frequent maintenance requirements. We look forward to expanding our electric fleet in the years to come and continuing our commitment towards a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

Energy Efficient Homes

It is our aim to make energy efficiency improvements to facilities across our portfolio and achieve both, material carbon footprint reductions and financial benefits for our service. Following the successful completion of our first new-build facility which achieved a building energy rating of A2, we have identified more facilities within our portfolio that can be similarly enhanced by developing additional A-rated homes across Ireland.

We have also untaken a series of upgrade works to include installation of air-to-water heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation systems, enhancements to wall, roof, and floor insulation as well as the incorporation of triple-glazed windows and doors. Below are some samples of works completed so far.

New Build A-Rated

Last year, we successfully completed the construction of our first new build facility, achieving an impressive Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2. The project involved implementing various energy-efficient features, such as the installation of triple-glazed windows, underfloor heating with smart zone control thermostats, and an air-to-water heat pump as the primary heating source. This shift to an environmentally friendly option significantly surpasses the conventional use of fossil fuel burners.

Additionally, a heat recovery ventilation system was incorporated into the development. This system not only supplies fresh air from the outside but also retains the heat within rooms, effectively reducing energy consumption while ensuring excellent indoor air quality. These design measures, combined with highly insulated external walls and roof spaces, greatly diminish energy usage and the overall carbon footprint of the building, ultimately elevating the BER rating to A2.

The completed works on the new build bringing it to an A2-rated home.

Foundations poured and ready for works to commence on the new build.

Garage Conversions

We have also undertaken the development of additional accommodation units by converting existing garages, which are ancillary to the main community dwellings, into high-quality living areas. The most recent garage conversion is anticipated to achieve an A2 Energy Rating upon completion.

The construction works involved in the garage conversions encompass retrofitting additional wall and roof insulation, replacing traditional oil heating with energy-efficient air-to-water heat pumps, utilising high-quality windows and doors that meet the required U-values, implementing space heating with smart thermostat and zone controls, and installing rooftop solar panels for water heating. These measures contribute to the overall energy efficiency and sustainability of the converted units, aligning with our commitment to creating environmentally conscious living spaces.

The start of construction works on the garage conversion.

The completed conversion with solar panels, new windows and doors.