Client: Leitrim County Council
The Junction Hub is a co-working office and amenity space located in the restored former railway station on the historic Leitrim–Cavan line in Ballinamore. This unique project involved the sensitive restoration of the original railway station and adjacent coach house, both dating back to the late 1800s. Engineering services included the construction of a new piled single-storey extension to the main building and a large paved courtyard, designed to serve both as a functional space and a community amenity.
Restoring a heritage structure that had been vacant for several years presented a number of technical challenges. Extensive remedial works were required to repair and reinforce the existing building fabric. This included masonry restoration as well as the replacement and strengthening of deteriorated timber joists and lintels.
Ground conditions across the site also proved complex, with significant depths of made ground encountered. The new extension was constructed on a foundation system comprising of piles and ground beams. Additionally, the design of the paved courtyard required careful consideration of sub-base construction. A geogrid reinforcement system was used to reduce the required sub-base depth, thereby minimizing excavation and the removal of material from the site—an approach that supported both engineering efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The transformation of the former railway buildings into office and amenity space has extended their lifespan , preserving the local history and character of Ballinamore and strengthening community identity. By repurposing existing structures, the project has preserved existing building materials, reducing construction waste and saving on the enegry that would have gone into the manufacture and transport of new materials.
Project Director
