Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

The former Ormonde Cinema Building dates from the mid 1940’s and is a protected structure. Located within the Town Centre of Dungarvan the near derelict building was acquired by Dungarvan Town Council for redevelopment. EPCA proposed a mixed unit scheme which provided 15 dwellings comprising a three storey Apartment Building, two storey Family Houses and single storey Elderly Person Dwellings.

The scheme design was dictated by the requirement to retain the protected façade of the cinema which fronts onto O’Connell Street, and which was a highly visible landmark building in the Town. The façade was incorporated in the design of the Apartment Block, with the balance of the cleared former cinema building cleared to facilitate the development of the new housing to the rear arranged around the new urban square – named Ormonde Square – was created

The Ground Floor apartment units were designed to be wheelchair accessible for lifetime / independent living, with small private gardens opening onto O’Connell St. with suitable metal railings to the dwarf walls fronting the street. All of the new buildings were finished to a high standard of materials to minimise ongoing maintenance issued – acrylic render and zinc standing seam roofs with feature glazed brick banding. Reconstituted paving was used throughout the pedestrian walkways with and stainless steel railings to steps and ramps etc. The Apartment units were also provided with adjacent storage units, finished to complement the main building.

The scheme provided an ‘Exemplar’ Development for the Local Authority incorporating a sustainable approach to the overall design exceeding the brief and standard building regulations.

Awards

National Housing Award – 2017 – Ormonde Square Residential Project