Client: Wicklow County Council
This project involved the demolition of the existing Dunnes Stores building at the junction of Arklow’s Main Street and Castle Park and the construction of a two/three storey building to accommodate Arklow Library (900 sqm) and Arklow Area Civic Offices (600sqm). The project value is €3.3M approx.
The superstructure comprises a steel frame supporting composite floors which comprise metal decking with reinforced concrete topping. The staircases comprise exposed reinforced concrete to walls and stairs. Care had to be taken to ensure the quality of the concrete finish was maintained because of the expaosed nature of these elements.
The site slopes steeply upwards from Main Street and thus the lower ground floor is mostly below outside ground level. The sub-structure to this part of the building comprises reinforced concrete pads, ground beams and intergral slab and rising walls. This reinforced concrete box is waterproofed externally.
The upper ground floor, towards the rear of the site, is above outside ground level and here the sub-structure comprises reinforced concrete pads and strip foundations.
Because of the tight nature of the site it was imperative to maximise all available space. For this reason the structure extended to the face of the party wall and underpinning of the party wall with the adjoining building took place following full consultation with the adjoining neighbours.
Finally, because all perimeters of the site bounded a public road or adjoining property careful attention was paid to the logistics of carrying out the construction work taking full cognisence of the health and safety of the construction operative and the public.
Project Director
