Developer D/RES has started work on a new €3.2m landmark project at its Altidore Gardens development in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow. The innovative development will feature Ireland’s first net-zero carbon public buildings: a creche and a community centre. These facilities, primarily constructed from responsibly sourced, mass-engineered timber (MET), mark a significant step forward for sustainable construction in Ireland. As a result, they will be Ireland’s first privately developed MET public buildings.
Commenting on the announcement, D/RES CEO, Patrick Durkan, said: “I am delighted to announce the commencement of construction on these groundbreaking public buildings in Newtownmountkennedy. This project aims to deliver sustainable, environmentally friendly, and future-proofed infrastructure for Ireland. This milestone isn’t just a first for D/RES; it’s a national first for privately developed public buildings, setting a new benchmark for low-carbon, high-performance construction. It clearly demonstrates that net-zero carbon principles are achievable and should be the standard for Ireland’s future.”
The project targets a reduction in carbon emissions, aiming for under 10kgCO2e/m./year for both operational and embodied carbon.
Features include:
- Efficient heating and cooling: Buildings will use high-efficiency heat pumps for heating. Natural ventilation is prioritised, with automated systems in the creche and manual windows in the community centre. Only the creche’s sleeping room will have an A/C unit, maintaining temperatures between 18ÅãC-20ÅãC.
- Renewable energy: Solar PV will supply 20% of each building’s operational energy.
- Mass timber construction: While the substructure uses concrete, all superstructure above ground will be constructed from MET.
- Fire safety: The MET superstructure with fire-rated wood fibre insulation has a 60-minute fire rating and has received a comprehensive fire safety certificate and commencement notice from Wicklow County Council.
The Altidore Gardens development is supported by Construct Innovate, the Irish Green Building Council, University of Galway and the Timber in Construction Steering Group, highlighting a commitment to a sustainable built environment.