Parkgate Street Residential

With its landmark tower (Block A) setting the site apart from other residential buildings in the Irish capital, Parkgate Street is undoubtedly set to become one of Dublin’s most high-profile developments along the bank of the Liffey at the entrance of Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. 

It is precisely this ambitious tower construction that presented the IN2 team with one of the project’s biggest challenges. Due to the height of the tower, the water and heating pipework strategy had to be designed to deal with the increased static water pressure. The issue with the hydraulic pressure required an innovative approach; the team eventually decided on hydraulically splitting the tower in two halves with a heat exchanger splitting the water system into two. This ensured a consistent pressure to efficiently circulate the water up and down the height of the tower. 

Given the widely varying heights of the blocks, the heating strategy for Blocks B and C will be decentralised utilising a ‘Dimplex’ system for hot water generation, whilst the tower block (Block A) will be heated with a centralised heating system via a central heat pump. Due to the wind pressure in the tower block, which was calculated using a CFD microclimate model, it was determined that the decentralised option would experience difficulties at the higher level due to the wind pressures. In contrast it was determined that the wind pressures experienced in the lower blocks would benefit the installation of a decentralised system. 

Two widely differing heating strategies for buildings on the same site shows IN2's commitment to quality, innovation, and making the most of passive design to reach decarbonisation goals. 

IN2’s Building Physics team also used CFD analysis to assess the comfort levels of the balconies. External microclimate analysis showed that some of the proposed balconies would experience discomfort due to high winds. It was IN2’s suggestion that the balconies be constructed from a solid material to make them more ‘wind-resistant’ and offer the occupant greater comfort conditions while using the balconies. It was also noted that certain areas of the coming plaza area at ground level would suffer similar discomfort. IN2 recommended the addition of trees to increase the comfort and usability of the plaza area for residents at ground level. 

Extensive daylight and sunlight analysis was also completed by the IN2 Building Physics team to maximise available daylight and demonstrate that over 95% of the residential bedrooms and living rooms achieved above minimum Average Daylight Factors. The results of the daylight/sunlight modelling informed the architects in the final arrangement of the living spaces and the facades, including window aperture sizing and positioning.

IN2’s Building Physics team also carried out a detailed energy analysis using SEAI-approved DEAP software to demonstrate compliance for Part L 2019/NZEB, ensuring that each apartment achieved an ambitious A2 BER rating. In addition, IN2 are responsible for TM52 and TM59 assessments that will include a detailed overheating study in the tower block.