Will Rudd marks delivery of more than 100 new social homes across three Irish counties
Multi-award-winning civil and structural engineering consultancy Will Rudd has supported the delivery of 104 new social homes across three local authority developments in Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.
The homes are being delivered across three schemes: 47 at Radharc na Carraige in Roscrea for Tipperary County Council, 38 at Shandon in Dungarvan for Waterford City & County Council and 19 at Garryruth in Tralee for Kerry County Council. The Garryruth development has now been completed, with the remaining homes at Roscrea and Shandon due to follow shortly.
Will Rudd was appointed to provide full civil and structural engineering services at Radharc na Carraige, supporting the project from planning and tender through to construction. The development includes 35 houses and 12 apartments.
An existing underground power cable crossing the Roscrea site required the foundation solution to be adapted, allowing construction to continue around the live cable while its diversion was being progressed. Precast flooring was also used within the apartment units.
At Shandon, Will Rudd acted as technical adviser to Waterford City & County Council throughout the development of 22 terraced houses and 16 apartments. Timber-frame construction was used for the houses, while the apartments incorporate precast floor slabs. A community building has also been delivered as part of the development.
The consultancy also acted as technical adviser on the 19-home Garryruth development, where the constrained urban site contained two live shallow sewers and several shared boundaries.
Will Rudd worked closely with Uisce Éireann to agree an approach that protected the existing sewers and kept them operational throughout construction. Engagement with neighbouring properties also supported the delivery of a new boundary wall, while precast flooring was used within the apartments.
Across all three developments, drainage was designed in line with Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) principles, helping manage stormwater discharge from the sites.
Accessibility has also been considered across each scheme, with all three designed to meet Part M requirements and Universal Design homes included. Radharc na Carraige also includes age-friendly homes with private courtyard space.
Eugene Sheehy, Associate at Will Rudd Ireland, said: “Each scheme has required a different approach, both in terms of its engineering and how the project has been procured. That variety is an important part of our work with local authorities, whether we are responsible for the full civil and structural engineering delivery or advising the client throughout a Design & Build process.
“Ultimately, the success of these projects is measured in the homes being delivered for the communities they serve, and it is rewarding to see all three developments reaching this stage.”
The three developments form part of Will Rudd’s growing public-sector housing portfolio in Ireland, with further appointments recently secured in Kerry and Waterford.
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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
