Client: Glenveagh
DBFL provided Civil, Structural & Transportation Engineering services.
The Freight Building is a new office building in Dublin’s Docklands. With a gross floor area of 10,250 sq.m over nine storeys plus basement, it is at the centre of the overall Castleforbes Masterplan, for which DBFL is providing all Civil, Structural and Transportation Engineering services.
The structure is a reinforced concrete frame, with a distinctive façade whose pop-out windows are supported by slab projections. Mechanical plant is situated on the roof behind a steel framed decorative façade, and amenity areas are located at ground and sixth floors. Careful alignment of structure through coordination with Architect resulted in no transfer structure being required, and a flat slab approach employed throughout on all levels.
Design challenges included proximity to CIE rail tracks and the concurrent adjacent hotel construction, along with contaminated ground conditions and a high water table.
A site-specific flood risk assessment (SSFRA) was undertaken to evaluate the flood risk to the subject site and determine if the development proposals are suitable in accordance with The Planning System and Flood Risk Guidelines.
The design implements a number of SUDs elements around the development, such as permeable paving, rain gardens, and filter drains. The use of attenuation tanks and a flow control have also been included in the design to ensure surface water run-off is limited.
The project has achieved LEED Gold and WELL Gold certification.
Project Director
