Works have begun at Merville House in UCD, where we have designed the new phase of the East Quadrangle at UCD Nova. The contractors are making great headway during this beautiful weather. Stay tuned for updates!
Kavanagh Tuite at Liberties Fun Run /
We were delighted to take part in the Liberties Fun Run on the evening of July 18th, in aid of St James' Hospital Foundation. It's such a great cause and we were so pleased to be a part of it!
New Associate at Kavanagh Tuite /
Kavanagh Tuite are delighted to announce that Beth Gribben has become an Associate of the Practice.
Beth joined Kavanagh Tuite in 2013 and has been involved on several key projects, including Pallas Foods Dublin Distribution Centre, multiple projects for An Post and a number of large Data Centre Projects in Dublin.
Beth has recently completed a Level 9 Post Graduate Certificate in 'Professional Energy Skills in nZEB', focusing on retrofit of existing buildings towards near zero energy building performance; this June Beth has also completed a Fire Safety Practice (Post Graduate Diploma) in Trinity College Dublin.
Irish Building Magazine /
We are delighted to feature in Issue 2 of the Irish building magazine 2018.
We worked alongside Arup with Flynn Management & Contractors on the South Gates Facility at Dublin Airport, which opened in December 2017. The gates were constructed on a live airport campus where we faced challenges of security and safety, adding to the complexity of the project.
Our work on the Old Richmond Hospital also featured, having worked alongside Townlink Construction. The project was shortlisted for the Conservation/Heritage Category in this year’s Irish Construction Excellence Awards. The hospital building has been transformed to a state of the art education and event centre for the members of the INMO.
BLOG: data centre design /
Kavanagh Tuite is at the forefront of the design of data centres in Ireland.
The extraordinary growth in online usage over the past two decades has had many effects on both our personal and professional lives.
The world of online data is ubiquitous if not always visible, and that data needs stored, processed and distributed. It is no surprise, then, that data centres have appeared en masse to help channel this enormous power source. They are the physical embodiment of “the cloud”.
- Kavanagh Tuite are one of a very small number of Irish architects with in excess of 100,000 sq.m of completed datacentre space.
- We are proven team players in the delivery of complex buildings with rigorous requirements on rapid delivery.
- Our projects vary in size up to 25,000sq.m, a typical Datacentre being c.15,000 sq.m.
- Our projects are in all Dublin local authority administrative areas.
Huge usage increase
According to Bitpower’s November 2017 report “Ireland’s Data Hosting Industry 2017”, there was a 186% increase in monthly consumer data traffic from 2013-2018, with video accounting for the most data usage – underpinning the importance of data centres.
At Kavanagh Tuite, we are highly experienced in the design, project management and delivery of tier 4 data centres for notable providers on fast-track schedules. Our projects vary in size up to 25,000m2, with a typical data centre being 15,000m2.
As of 2017, we are one of a small number of Irish architectural practices to have delivered in excess of 100,000 m2 of data centres over a range of sites with approximately 65,000m2 of white space. As of May 2018, we have over 50,000m2 in various stages of design. All our projects are in Dublin local authority administrative areas.
Pragmatic and honest design approach
Our delivery-orientated project management skills aligned with a pragmatic and ethical design approach offer assurance for clients negotiating Ireland’s localised planning and development regulations. We proactively manage risk to navigate prudent routes for efficient building procurement.
Architects have a range of duties during the planning and building process, including understanding the working areas of a building, how people move through a building, health and safety, power, supply chains, environmental factors . . . the list goes on.
We operate on a macro level, engaging with every stakeholder to ensure the whole process runs smoothly. Work on data centres, like any construction project, is generally done on a very strict timeframe. Expertise is needed across a range of areas, for example planning compliance, working in the immediate vicinity of other similar buildings e.g. on a campus, working with multiple teams, and ensuring standards are consistently met in a timely fashion.
We consider each project in a phased manner accounting for energy, security, secure access to fibre networks along with scoping for Environmental Impact Reports (EIARs)
Early integration with the client’s security design teams enhances project delivery to evolving client standards. We are also at the forefront of the BIM collaborative environment using federated models and clash detection though Navisworks.
Best-fit solutions
Our project management involves face-to-face meetings with the full construction team, nurturing relationships and building on our experience to streamline the delivery process. We are acutely aware that mechanical, engineering and plumbing (MEP) design can evolve during large project roll-outs, and plan for these developments. We constantly revaluate best fit solutions for client benefit and innovative design.
No one ever builds the same building twice. It’s important to be flexible and respond well to change. Architects are involved with perfecting the aesthetics of building, but also have a coordinating role, working with MEP designers and other key stakeholders. Our own role is only a small part of the overall job.
We don’t impose our views on clients or their design teams – we work around what they need to deliver the finished product. We accommodate other people’s requirements and can arbitrate on items that don’t fit on the specialists’ desks.
Secure and resilient
With the online world and technology constantly evolving and becoming ever-more important, the development of data centres will continue apace in what is an attractive and successful country for the sector. At Kavanagh Tuite, we are proud to be part of that development.
For more information about previous projects and our approach, see http://www.kavanaghtuite.ie
Simon Open Door 2018 /
We were delighted to take part in the RIAI's Simon Open Door initiative this year. A big thanks go to all the participants, who made this such a great success for a fantastic cause. We're looking forward to next year already!
Sarah MacLoughlin Heads Up First Place Winners /
All of us at Kavanagh Tuite would like to congratulate our own Sarah MacLoughlin and the rest of her team members for achieving first place in their Msc. aBIMM Multidisciplinary Collaboration Project.
Sarah is currently in her second year of Msc. Applied Building Information Modelling and Management - aBIMM and is central to our KTA BIM task force. The brief of the project instructed the team to deliver responses to an Employers Information Requirement for the proposed development of a new, three-storey Multidisciplinary Digital Design Technologies: Centre of Excellence block situated adjacent to the existing Dublin Institute of Technology building on Bolton Street, Dublin.
Aiden Madden represented ARUP for the evening.
Again, Well Done to Sarah and her teammates.
Richmond Hospital Fountain /
The fountain to the forecourt of the INMO has been fully completed. A welcome display for visitors to the new INMO Education and Event Centre in the former Richmond Hospital.
Kavanagh Tuite have transformed this important landmark and protected structure, to a state of the art education and event centre for the INMO's forty thousand members.
The wonderfully restored building was also recently shortlisted in the Public or Heritage Building / Conservation or Restoration category at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards.
ICE Awards in The Mansion House /
A big thank you to P.J. Hegarty & Sons, Townlink Construction and Kilcawley Construction for a great night's entertainment at the #ICEAwards last Friday in The Mansion House. In the picture above, Joe O'Neill is seen with the team from Townlink Construction.
We had a fantastic night and were proud to have been nominated for awards in such distinguished company. Congratulations to all the winners!
Award nomination /
We are delighted to have been nominated in the Irish Construction Excellence Awards with Kilcawley Construction for our work on the Doyle Shipping Group building.
The new, landmark building is the adaptive re-use of an existing 1970s concrete frame 5-storey office building for Doyle Shipping Group. This project is located in Dublin Port in the North Docks.
The brief was to upgrade the existing structure to facilitate both stevedores working on the docks and adminisrative staff for DSG's Dublin operation. The works included a full building fabric strip out, full mechanical and electrical services upgrade, an internal office fit-out with associated canteen facilities and a performance led building facade upgrade.
The aluminium shading fins to the southern elevation provide visual articulation to the south facade and solar protection within the building. The robust design successfully reflects the industrial context while adding a contemporary addition to a developing and changing part of Dublin.
The gala event for the #ICEAwards will take place in the Round Room at the Mansion House on Friday, 23rd March.
RIAI Annual Review /
It was fantastic to be at the RIAI Annual Review and Christmas get-together last night in the RIAI itself.
Brian Kavanagh, Liam Tuite, Fergal Ryan and Joy Kearns attended from Kavanagh Tuite, and a great evening was had by all. Big thanks to the RIAI bookshop for staying open late for us!
New South Gates facility opens at Dublin Airport /
Kavanagh Tuite successfully teamed up with Arup to support daa to deliver the new South Gates facility within Dublin Airport. The South Gates were constructed airside on a live airport campus where the challenges of security and safety added to the project complexity.
This €22 million boarding gate area was officially opened on 11th December, 2017. Located south of Terminal 2, work on the new area started early in 2017 on a fast track programme. This facility will service nine aircraft stands on the South Apron providing a comfortable waiting area from which passengers will be able to walk directly to the aircraft for boarding. The new South Gates area, which will be used mainly by Aer Lingus for flights to the UK and continental Europe, has five boarding gates serving nine aircraft parking stands.
The South Gates boarding area is part of a €100 million plus investment programme at Dublin Airport this year, as improvements are made to existing passenger and airfield areas and new facilities are delivered.
The facility comprises a single storey structure of lightweight modular construction to meet the demands of the rapid construction programme. The 2,200 square metre facility was built offsite in 80 modules and then transported to Dublin Airport for final assembly. The gates have been designed to accommodate departing flights in the busy early morning period and arriving flights in the evening.
The new facility can also be segregated so that departing and arriving passengers can be processed at the same time. Shuttle buses will transport passengers to and from the new boarding gates. The new building can accommodate almost 1,000 passengers and includes a café, toilets, baby changing facilities and a workstation area with plugs and charging points.
For more information, see https://www.dublinairport.com/latest-news/detail/dublin-airport-opens-new-boarding-gate-area
KPMG Property Industry Excellence Awards /
KPMG PROPERTY INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE AWARDS
We were in good company last night at the KPMG Careers Ireland Property Excellence Awards at The Convention Centre Dublin.
We shared a table with people from Kilcawley Construction and Proteus Consulting Engineers, companies that were central to the delivery of Doyle Shipping Group's new office in Dublin Port. For our work on this project, we were shortlisted for the Excellence in Planning category.
This award was deservedly won by Cairn Homes for their work at Marianella Rathgar. Well done to them for their great work! #PropertyIndustryExcellenceAwards
Killiney residential project /
Here's a picture of our colleague Simone during the concluding stages of a fantastic residential project in Killiney.
AHI award for GPO Witness History /
The Association for Heritage Interpretation have announced the results of the AHI 2017 Discover Heritage Awards – for excellence in cultural and natural heritage interpretation in Britain and Ireland.
GPO Witness History was a runner up in the Visitor / Interpretation Centre category. It was purpose built by Kavanagh Tuite and the museum content was by Mark Leslie of Martello Media, for Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries to celebrate its role as the rebel headquarters during the Easter Rising of 1916, the pivotal event of modern Irish History
The judges were very impressed with the way a very contentious subject was told in a remarkably balanced and respectful manner. The experience was engaging and immersive without being trivialised or sensationalised.
Kavanagh Tuite send their congratulations to Mark Leslie and all who contributed through Martello Media.
Kavanagh Tuite shortlisted for industry award /
WE'VE BEEN SHORTLISTED!
We're delighted to feature in this year's KPMG Independent.ie Property Industry Excellence Awards.
Our work with Doyle Shipping Group has been shortlisted in the "Excellence in Planning" category, and is a testament to all the hard work of our fantastic team.
The award winners will be announced on Thursday, 23rd November at a dinner to be held at The Convention Centre Dublin.
Dublin Marathon success! /
Huge congratulations to our own Joe O'Neill, who completed this year's Dublin Marathon (knocking 16 minutes off his 2016 time in the process) raising money for supportstjames.ie along with members of his family #TeamBabs
Our Projects: Athlone Advanced Technology Building /
We were delighted to work on this building for IDA Ireland's Emerging Business Division in the Athlone Business & Technology Park. The design of this building promotes high level daylighting, glare control, robust internal finishes, generous heights for additional mezzanines and high quality materials: sheer metal modular cladding and glazing systems set off by judicious use of stone with high value insulation and air tightness.
Envelope, internal layout and site layout were strategically planned for efficiency and expansion. Materials were evaluated according to LEED methodologies and certification. Site design complies with the sustainability agenda. Landscaping is simple and elegant, reliant on native species in its rural surroundings.
Exterior Design Awards 2017 /
We're delighted that our work with @doyleshipping was honoured with a highly commended award @archexpo.
Read MoreIrish Georgian Society Awards /
There was a great turnout at the Irish Architectural Archive last night for the Irish Georgian Society Awards, as Lindsay Conservation Architects scooped a deserved award for The Shelbourne Dublin, a Renaissance Hotel.
We were shortlisted for conservation works to the internal courtyard facades of GPO Witness History. It was lovely to see the diversity of entrants and judges, chaired by Edward McParland.
It was truly humbling to be shortlisted among so many outstanding entries, and it's also fantastic to see the steady growth of awareness of our built environment.