DBFL provided post planning D&B detailed design and construction civil and structural engineering services on the new Douglas Rochestown Educate Together National School at Carr’s Hill, Douglas, Co. Cork. Site works started in August 2021 and the school was completed at the end of December 2022.
Located on a challenging sloping site on the Carrigaline Road, the building comprises of a new split level two storey /part three storey 4,635m2 school, consisting of 24 classrooms (including 3 class base Special Needs Unit), General Purpose (GP) Hall and all ancillary pupil and staff facilities. Access is via a new road provided under a separate contract. External works include bus set-down areas, a total of 46 car parking spaces, all associated site roads, drainage, boundary walls, retaining walls, ramps, stairs, 3No ball courts, hard and soft play areas and landscaping.
The form of construction of the building is a mix of in-situ reinforced concrete (RC) and precast concrete slabs supported on perimeter RC walls and internal shallow RC beams and RC columns. The GP Hall comprises of a double height space with a complex roof accommodating 4 upstand roof lights and is constructed using structural steelwork and metal purlins.
As a level 2 BIM project, successful collaboration was achieved through a federated 3D model between the design team and the building contractor to deliver the project.
The project, bundled with schools in Ballinteer and Knocklyon, won the BIM Excellence Award for projects under €70m at the 2023 Irish Construction Excellence Awards
The sloping site provided challenging access arrangements from the newly constructed adjoining access road. The split-level nature of the building required the lowest level to be constructed in the form of a semi basement. Retaining walls were required throughout the site to deliver safe play areas, functional parking and access arrangements.
The roof was designed for the support of PV panels on an elevated framework. As part of the Surface Water management strategy, SuDS were incorporated into the design including, rain gardens, filter drains and permeable paving for the parking areas. A comprehensive Cut & Fill analysis was also undertaken to minimise earthworks and excess material being taken off site.
Project Director
