Oldtown schools, Co Dublin, Ireland.
Summary
Roughan & O’Donovan provided civil and structural engineering design services for two 16-classroom schools and a community centre in Oldtown, Swords, Co. Dublin.
Highlight
The success of our design and construction approach led to contracts for a further four schools and two community centres under the RDA Rapid Schools Delivery 2010 tender process.
Solution
The one and two-storey complex steel framed structure divides into three distinct units to accommodate Gaelscoil Bhrian Boroimhe, Swords Educate Together and Oldtown community centre.
Precast concrete hollowcore floors at 1st floor level allowed the main frame to be erected quickly and provided the three schools with a flexible configuration for future alterations.
A combination of movement resisting frames and bracing to suit the architectural layouts provides stability.
We employed asymmetrical beams (ASB) in the elevated floor plates to achieve an overall structural floor depth of only 340mm, satisfying the Department of Education and Skills’ specifications in relation to floor to ceiling heights and services zones.
Challenge
While the seven-month timeframe from commencement of architectural design to delivery was challenging, we produced an efficient design, and the building was completed on time, in budget and to specification.
Services provided:
- Civil engineering design
- Structural engineering design
- Water and wastewater
