Retrofitting Housing Stock, York Street

York Street, Dublin 2

York Street

York Street Apartments, Dublin 2. The redevelopment of York street incorporates environmentally friendly design features.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

York Street
(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

York Street

York Street Apartments, Dublin 2. The redevelopment of York street incorporates environmentally friendly design features.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Enlarge image

Dublin City Council is the largest social housing provider in Ireland, supplying over 26,000 social housing dwellings. The majority of dwellings were constructed prior to the 1973 oil crisis when fuel was cheap and little attention was paid to insulation and energy efficiency. Such buildings achieve poor energy ratings (E or F rating) on the building energy rating scale. There has been extensive refurbishment within the existing DCC social housing stock, resulting in the wide–scale elimination of fuel poverty among the tenants. Over the past ten years, efficient gas-fired central heating has replaced the old solid fuel fires, with major benefits to both the environment and quality of the living space. Also, energy efficient windows have been installed in most of the dwellings, roof insulation has been added and some of the newer dwellings have solar heating.

York Street redevelopment

Dublin City Council's redevelopment at York Street, Dublin 2

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

York Street redevelopment
(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

York Street redevelopment

Dublin City Council's redevelopment at York Street, Dublin 2

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Enlarge image

Through its involvement in SEI’s House of Tomorrow Programme, Codema- Dublin’s Sustainable Energy Agency, secured funding for Dublin City Council for a number of high profile refurbishment projects such as Bridgefoot Street, Queen Street, Ballybough, Bunratty Road and the flagship new-build project at York Street.

The redevelopment of York Street was officially opened in May of 2009 and leads the way in sustainable living for Dublin. The 66 Dublin City Council apartments are arranged in five blocks, with communal spaces on the ground floor and three roof gardens.

The York Street apartments have excellent Building Energy Ratings –with ratings from B2 to A3 and an estimated 70% reduction in fuel costs to residents. The excellent BERs can be attributed to various energy efficiency measures such as low energy design, energy conservation and a community heating system. It was estimated that these measures could result in over 50% reduction in both energy usage and CO2 emissions.

A major feature of this redevelopment is the use of solar panels on the roof, which provide hot water for the residents. Highly-efficient condensing gas boilers back up the solar panels at peak load. The majority of blocks have a group heating system, with individual apartments fitted with heat exchangers and heat meters to accurately measure and bill individual energy users.

The was also an effort made to recycle and encourage the re-use of materials. Timbers from the original floor joists in the demolished building were salvaged and reused as part of the new roof structure. Rainwater from the main roofs is collected for use in the gardens, to conserve water and reduce flooding.

Green roofs are also incorporated, helping to restore the vegetated footprint that was lost when the original buildings were constructed.

Environmental features include:

· Shallow Plan blocks for good day-lighting and natural ventilation

· Dual aspect apartments and dual aspect living spaces

· Adaptable glazed balconies on south and west facades

· Green roofs to control water seepage and attract wildlife, etc

Elements of sustainable design:

· Renewable Energy

· Energy Conservation

· Effective Day-Lighting

· Building Fabric and Materials

· Life Cycle Usage