Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co Dublin
T.J. O’Connor & Associates were responsible for the design and monitoring construction of a new three storey classroom block in this 1000 pupil post-primary school. This classroom block incorporates 6 Science and Technology classrooms at ground floor and a 70-pupil study in addition to 9 classrooms accommodated on the second and third floors.
The building encloses the fourth side of a quadrangle formed by the protected Castledawson House and College Chapel, and Jubilee Hall from the 18th, 19th and early 20th century buildings respectively. The existing structure had to be appraised for the upgrade of use of the building and design and detailing of connections of new buildings with existing buildings had to be completed.
The building structure is a three-storey reinforced in-situ concrete frame with structural steel roof structure. A reinforced concrete scissor stair is incorporated into the building, with exposed fair face concrete walls. Additionally, the front elevation is designed with a hanging wall section, incorporating intricate structural steel supports for the glazed elevation and roof adjacent to the 1900’s Jubilee Hall building. The concrete frame is stabilised by the lift shaft and staircore located at either end of the building.
T.J. O’Connor & Associates also involved in the preparation of a masterplan for development of the existing college campus.
The condition of the existing surface and foul water network was also investigated resulting in an upgrade of the main infrastructural drainage system the college.
Additional work completed on the building include:
- Strengthening of existing 1st Floor over Refectory & Study Hall
- Refurbishment works to the parapet and turrets of Williamstown Castle.
- Upgrading & refurbishment of existing 1970’s building classroom block
Client:
Holy Ghost Fathers
Start/End Date:
2000 – August 2007
Contract Value:
€15M
Role:
Structural & Civil Engineers
Key Structural Features:
- Appraisal of existing 18th century structure for upgrade works
- Design and detailing of connections from new building to existing 18th century protected structure
- Design of reinforced concrete scissor stairs
- Design of structural steel supports for hanging wall elevation and roof
- Involved in preparation of Development Control Plan for the campus
- Upgrade of the main infrastructural drainage system
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