Client Health Service Executive
Location Clonmel, Ireland
Designing pathway projects for the future of decarbonisation in Healthcare
About the project
IN2 Engineering provided full Mechanical and Electrical, Environmental and Sustainability design services for the Clonmel Community Nursing Unit, delivered as part of the HSE’s national Community Nursing Unit Public Private Partnership programme. The programme comprises seven new residential healthcare facilities designed to replace outdated accommodation and deliver modern, person-centred environments for older residents.
The Clonmel facility provides 50 residential beds arranged in household clusters, supporting a model of care that promotes independence while enabling efficient clinical supervision and care delivery. Each cluster integrates resident bedrooms with shared living, dining and activity areas to create a domestic environment while maintaining the infrastructure required for healthcare operations.
IN2 delivered a comprehensive building services design focused on resilience, energy performance and healthcare functionality. The mechanical and electrical systems support a range of clinical and operational requirements including medical gas infrastructure, digital nurse call and patient monitoring systems, healthcare ICT networks, and resilient electrical distribution with backup power and life safety infrastructure for essential services. Ventilation strategies were designed to support infection control requirements, while the overall building layout and environmental approach supports dementia-friendly design principles and resident wellbeing. The design also incorporates smart building monitoring and energy management systems to support efficient facility operation and ongoing performance monitoring.
Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) was undertaken using TAS software to evaluate building performance and internal environmental conditions. A detailed 3D model of the building geometry, orientation, glazing, construction build-ups and shading was developed to assess overheating risk, daylight performance and natural ventilation strategies. The analysis informed the development of a passive ventilation strategy with optimised window configurations across bedrooms and communal spaces, maintaining thermal comfort while minimising overheating risk.
Daylight modelling was also carried out to assess internal environmental quality. The results demonstrated strong compliance with the daylight performance criteria for residential healthcare facilities, supporting improved occupant wellbeing and visual comfort for residents and staff.
IN2 also undertook a detailed energy assessment to demonstrate compliance with the Irish Building Regulations (TGD Part L 2021). Dynamic simulation modelling was used to predict energy consumption across heating, domestic hot water, ventilation systems, lighting and auxiliary plant. The final design achieved full compliance with the Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB) performance requirements.
The project required careful coordination with the wider design and construction team to ensure integration of building services systems that support both residential living and healthcare operations, delivering a resilient, energy-efficient and clinically functional environment for residents and staff.
