The Irish Council for Social Housing Allianz Community Housing Awards 2019

Georges Place –is the first phase of development of a brown-field site which formerly served as a Council Depot.  Located in the heart of Dún Laoghaire Town Centre with all amenities including DART and bus links nearby it has provided twelve high quality, energy-efficient A1-rated dwellings for families in need of housing.   These rapid-built houses, were designed and built to the highest environmental standards in line with our ethos of providing our tenants with bright, spacious, comfortable living spaces coupled with superb indoor air quality and low running costs.  With near Zero Energy Buildings ‘nZEB’ due to become mandatory for all housing stock in the near future, these homes demonstrate how this can be achieved cost effectively, quickly and on a difficult in-fill site. 

The Brambles –The site now called The Brambles was handed over to dlr by the Sallynoggin Seniors Community group and the community centre, which was subsequently extended to provide a multi-functional communal space for local residents of all ages, is directly adjacent.  There are shops, including Aldi and LIDL, nearby and the housing scheme is served by bus routes to Dun Laoghaire and the City Centre.  The homes were specifically designed for the accommodation of older persons and the majority of the dwellings are ground floor apartments, with only 4 being located on the second floor.  All dwellings have level/easy access showers and are built to a high specification, resulting in comfortable, energy efficient homes. The allocation process was targeted at existing older tenants wishing to downsize.  A special feature of these homes is the large living space providing for adaptive use over time by the residents, with additional space available for visitors or carers. These homes also have a landscaped communal area with seating and lawn area within the development itself to promote good social interaction and overlooking of the public area.

Rochestown House – was completely refurbished as part of a wider re-development project.  The former dwellings in the building were bed-sits with poor energy ratings.  The bedsits were combined and a third floor and lift added to provide 34 one-bed apartments.  An energy upgrade was also carried out with external insulation, new windows, doors, ventilation system and district heating installed which brought the building up to Passive House EnerPHit Standard, the scheme was part of a wider EU EuroPHit Pilot and Phase 2 of the Development won an award for Best Sustainable Project at the RIAI awards in 2017.   It was the first and largest social housing scheme in Ireland to be awarded EnerHit certification for refurbishment of existing buildings. The final phase which provided 14 new in-fill dwellings on the site was completed in 2018.  The three phases of the development has provided a total of 60 high quality homes for older persons, many of whom downsized from larger properties.  There is a communal room provided within the complex where coffee mornings and other gatherings can be held and the Council has been working with the residents to develop a community group.

There was a large number of projects submitted for the Social Housing Allianz Community Housing Awards in 2019 and the Council is delighted to have been informed that the George’s Place Project has been shortlisted for an award in the category of Housing for Families.