CIF Project Feature: MDY Construction Ltd – Hollywoodrath, Dublin 15.

MDY Construction are currently finishing Phase 1 and moving into Phase 2 of Hollywoodrath,  a low density residential development in Hollystown, Dublin 15.

The project consists of 300 three and four bedroom houses and all associated site development works. Works started in July 2015 with a programme completion date of spring 2018.

MDY Contracts Manager, Barry O ‘Rafferty, explains that the major success of the project so far has been developing a close working relationship with Irish residential property development company, Regency.

“Over the past year and a half, this relationship has allowed MDY to produce a quality end product, resulting in a seamless contract signing process for the end user, which is represented in the strong sales and handovers completed to date.

Our client Regency has had three very successful sales launch cycles since the development commenced, resulting in eleven handover completions to date, averaging 8 houses per month and 88 units to date. The development is very successful due to the location, quality of design and quality of finish which all contribute to its popularity with the homeowner / end-user.”

Each house in the Hollywoodrath development boasts specialised mechanical systems as well as Trina solar PV panels, insulation exceeding industry standards, improved airtightness, and NSAI certified A-rated uPvc Munster Joinery windows. These measures contribute to a much desired A3 BER rating to each build.

Aereco demand controlled ventilation systems are incorporated into each house to exhaust high humidity conditions and allow fresh air to circulate in the living areas.

A1 Energy Solutions have supplied and fitted the roof mounted Trina Solar PV Panels to each house in Hollywoodrath to improve sustainability and contribute to achieving Part L compliance.

Trina Solar PV maximizes limited space with efficiency and work aesthetically well on the Hollywoodrath development as a dark tile is used on the roofs.

However, with a demanding delivery schedule of 8 units per month, challenges are a common feature on a project like Hollywoodrath.

One unique and unavoidable challenge faced on site came in November 2015. Poor draining soil conditions, combined with well above average precipitation, resulted in vast areas of water ponding on site and a temporary de-watering drainage system was established to remove the excess surface water.

The drainage system comprised of a network of land drains to drain the haul roads and works areas, these operations were carried out by MDY’s groundworks contractor JR Plant Hire from November 2015 to March 2016.

Another challenge with any development is establishing utility services and with MDY’s strict monthly delivery schedule, this meant that developing a close working relationship with ESB Networks, Gas Networks Ireland, Virgin Media, Eir, and Irish Water was essential for this project.

The removal of ESB transmission cables and pylons required extensive planning and coordination of site operations around the ESB Networks team during the removal works.

The general sequence of service provider installations in Hollywoodrath is scheduled to facilitate timely testing and commissioning which is critical for a programme of 8 house completions per month.

The schedule of installations is as follows:

1. Gas and water main line installation
2. Gas service connection to each house unit
3. ESB, Water, Eir, Virgin service connections to each house unit
4. Gas meters, ESB meters
5. Power on to facilitate commissioning of each house unit

The busy project so far has required around 400 workers from MDY and its subcontractors as well as the design team: Architects – MCORM, Civil & Structural Engineers – Waterman Moylan, Mechanical & Electrical Engineer – McElligott Consulting Engineers, Quantity Surveyors – KSN, and Landscaping Architects – Doyle + O’Troithigh.

It can be seen that Hollywoodrath is not a high density scheme, not a duplex or terraced house on the site.

Each house has been designed with the idea of being a lifelong family home, with large kitchens, vast back gardens and 6 different house types available.

“Hollywoodrath has been a successful project for MDY Construction over the past two years; there has been a proactive and collaborative approach to the project by all stake holders which has contributed to a good quality product coming to the market consistently to meet our client’s needs. We have seen an upturn in the residential sector over the past couple of years and will handover circa 300 units across our sites this year, with a further 150 already in progress for next year. While we work across all sectors of the industry we are conscious of the acute need for residential development and are well positioned with the teams, expertise and systems in place to contribute to meet this challenge in the years ahead.”  Says MDY Construction Director, Sean Cummins.

For more info, visit mdy.ie