From the outset of each project

Sustainability is a high priority in all DBFL projects. As such, we believe that issues which impact on sustainability must be considered from the very beginning of a project.

This consideration begins with site selection, addressing the proximity and availability of public transport, road networks, drainage, water services and other utilities. The entire design team must contribute at this stage, so that matters such as ground source heating and cooling, energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems, thermal mass, glazing systems, and environmentally friendly material selection, which may significantly affect the structural solution to be adopted, may be properly appraised. In addition, this work must be inclusive of practical considerations which will impact the project, from cost checking to programme implications.

Meeting Energy Rating Requirements

DBFL provided civil, structural and transportation engineering services on the Criminal Courts of Justice for the Irish Courts Service, which achieved an excellent BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) rating of 60.

There are several key factors which contributed to this success:

  • Site Selection.
  • Low maintenance / long life cost efficient materials.
  • Best sustainable summary ratings, as outlined in the "Green Guide to Specification".
  • A sophisticated double skin glazing facade which permits daylight entry, while controlling glare and heat gain, assisting in the thermal performance of the building and reducing external noise levels.
  • Use of natural stone finishes.
  • Use of a Green Sedum Roof.
  • Use of rain/grey water.
  • 15% expansion facility built into the design.

Specifiying the use & re-use of sustainable materials

DBFL specify the use and re-use of sustainable materials in both site works and building structures.

  • Use of GGBS (ground granulated blast-furnace slag).
    DBFL have specified GGBS cement for use in a number of projects, both as part of our overall contribution to sustainable development and to ensure reduced carbon footprints for new buildings. Produced from a recycled industrial by-product, GGBS uses no natural resources in its manufacture. It can be used as a replacement for up to 50% of the cement content in a concrete mix and it helps increase the long term durability of the concrete with its improved workability for use when pouring complex structural members. The eight storey Liffey Trust project, nearing completion on Sheriff Street, has been built using GGBS cement, its off-white colour used to maximum effect in exposed columns and slab soffits.
  • Re-use of other low embodied energy materials such as reinforced concrete, natural stone, concrete blockwork and precast concrete.
  • Re-use of excavated clay material with the addition of lime stabilisation, for building up site levels and keeping the material on site/reducing the quantity of imported infill.
  • Re-use of excavated rock material following crushing for use beneath roads, hard-standings and backfill (reducing the quantity of imported infill).
  • Sedimentation/erosion control during construction on site.
  • Use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) including rainwater harvesting, use of swales, ponds, filter trenching, porous paving, downstream defender and attenuation mechanisms. This is particularly relevant in cases where architects are striving for design innovation within challenging development guidelines for roads, footpaths and drainage. The SUDS design guidelines have been applied in the use of permeable paving for car parking areas in the Park and Ride site on the N7 for South Dublin County Council, filtration drainage systems for the Ballymun Regeneration in Shangan, significant detention ponds in Tyrrelstown and Stormwater Detention/Soakaway arrangements at Wainsfort Terrace in South Dublin.