Delivered services
Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project involved the extension and refurbishment of the building to provide up-to-date modern facilities for Municipal District Offices for Tipperary County Council. The building was designed by Mr Thomas Anthony and was constructed in 1841. It is a very important and valued building having been the centre of administration for over a century. The existing building which was refurbished in the 1970’s still retains many of its original features including the impressive façade and internal plasterwork. This project involved renovation and refurbishment works to the existing Town Hall with a new 3 storey extension adjoining the existing build to provide new public, office and Council facilities and all associated external site development works. The new structure comprises in-situ and pre-cast concrete components. The finish to the building includes rainscreen stone cladding and fibre cement cladding. There is planar glazing entrance façade. Internally the building is to be finished to a high standard including quality finishes to the council chamber and entrance foyer. The services installation includes air-conditioning and the latest I.T. facilities. The new services design incorporates numerous energy efficient measures.
PROJECT COMPLEXITIES
The location of the project on New Street, a busy one way main street in the centre of the town, presented challenges for the project in terms of construction access, construction management and management of pedestrian and road traffic in the public realm. The reconstruction of the road and footpaths to the area in front of the Town Hall to prioritise pedestrians was complex and involved extensive communications and careful coordination with all of the stakeholders. Unforeseen ground conditions comprising loose fill and organic material were encountered during the initial stages of construction and a prompt and proactive response from Malone O’Regan was required to enable the project to proceed without incurring delay. Proposals for underpinning and stabilising the original building and adjoining neighbouring structures were quickly prepared and issued to ensure the project remained on track. A key element of the project was the Protected Status of the original building. Conservation best practice was used in developing and implementing structural interventions including the formation of opes in original masonry walls, repairs to the queen post trusses and decorative cornicing, weathering of parapets and strengthening of the original floors.
