Breathing new life into a disused, abandoned building on the Dublin Zoo site

About the project

Society House at Dublin Zoo, previously overgrown by trees and practically uninhabitable, has undergone a remarkable transformation. After a full refurbishment, it acts as the zoo’s educational centre with its own research centre, library, office space, and accommodation included - all whilst preserving the nineteenth-century building’s original features.

This is a major project which involved demolitions, building a welcoming new porch, a transformative roof restoration, and a comprehensive heating strategy, earning itself the prestigious 2024 trophy in the Public Realm Category at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards.

IN2 were appointed to provide full M&E services for the full refurbishment of Society House at Dublin Zoo. The mechanical installation included comprehensive heating services that completed provision of pipework in the new plant, installed steel panel and multi-column radiators, and installed a plate heat exchanger, amongst other things, in order to make Society House functional and equipped to host educational initiatives and guests.

At the time of initial inspection, the heating system was a mix of central gas fired low pressure hot water (LPHW) systems using a district heating distribution strategy which served multiple buildings. It was decided that the most feasible and viable heating strategy is the reuse of the existing district heating strategy, with future integration.

IN2 were also responsible for ventilation installations that ranged from installing extraction fans and fire smoke damper control panels to volume control dampers and extract ductwork. In addition, IN2 were required to oversee water services installations that included boosted cold-water services distribution, boosted hot return water services distribution, and the installation of the cold-water tank, hot water cylinder, and the return pump.

IN2’s M&E expertise has seen a disused protected structure secure its future as an educational, creative hub with a colourful, modern fitout to complement its forward-thinking ethos.