- Office of Public Works
- Phoenix Park, Dublin 7
- Architect: Office of Public Works, Structural Engineer: Horgan Lynch & Partners, Quantity Surveyor: Evans Duffy Gaffney
- July 2001
The estate, purchased by the Government from the Guinness family Christmas 1999, is to be operated as the state guesthouse serving visiting dignitaries.
Works included the removal of basement floors, which were replaced with new waterproof concrete floors, new door openings were created in walls up to 900mm thick, all walls were damp treated (osmosis) and replastered. One of the most complex tasks was the installation of a new pool with a gym, sauna and changing rooms adjacent. Over the pool, a new storey was constructed by installing precast concrete planks on a steel frame, a new kitchen and the additional public facilities.
The ground floor required preservation throughout the project as sensitive items were present such as fabrics, tapestries, hand carved oak ceiling and panelling. We were responsible for the modernisation of all services, including general power services, lighting, fire alarm system, decoration of the lathe and plaster ceilings and walls. The installation of a new left shaft from the basement to the third level required temporary propping and block work construction throughout. The first and second floors required extensive refurbishment and renovation, with construction of magnificent Victorian bedrooms with adjoining en-suites constructed to the original architectural styles. The suites were fitted out and decorated to the highest standards, which included installation of new Austrian oak and cherry wood joinery.
The renovation of the 180 sq. m. conservatory was also part of the main contract. The external works consisted of a car park, drainage and installation of a state of the art security system, comprising of 60 cameras and 55 infrared beams throughout the seventy eight acre estate.
4000 sq. m. Construction Excellence Awards 2001
