Case 3: Residences, Athlone, County Westmeath

Ireland

Case parameters:

Type of construction: 2D facade renovation and 3D volumetric addition
Typology: Residential, circa 80m2
Owner: Local Authority – Westmeath County Council 
Construction systems: Concrete floors, masonry  block cavity walls with timber intermediate floor and roof
Location: Ireland, Athlone

The challenge we face

The Irish case study is a typical Irish two-story semi detatched house constructed of masonry block cavity walls with solid concrete ground floor, timber first floor and cold vented attic timber roof. The original thermal performance of the construction was poor but has been upgraded with attic insulation and pumped insulation to the cavity. The original houses may be been heated by solid fuel open fires but was upgraded with central heating.  However, the energy rating is poor and the challenge is to provide a deep energy retrofit of the dwelling involving an advanced thermal upgrade to the envelope via circular modularised solutions including upgraded space and water heating with renewables.

What we will do

The demonstration project will implement the design and installation of a pre-manufactured modularised 2D façade cladding panel upgrade which will radially improve the thermal performance of the fabric to achieve advanced contemporary U values and reduced thermal bridging and associated reduction in air leakage. The project with also demonstration the concept and benefits of modularised solutions via incorporation of a small 3D extension pod which will also be pre-manufactured and installed at speed.  The design and specification of the modularised solutions will be on the basis of a circularised solutions with a biobased specification.  In addition the project will also include an energy systems upgrade and application of appropriate renewables all to achieve a deep energy low carbon retrofit to A3 energy rating.

The results we expect

We expect the following results in the Irish Athlone Case Study

 

Case specific outcomes:

This type of intervention can support revised approaches to deep energy retrofits based on a systematic industrial scale solution, resulting in improved occupant comfort and health, increased space and utility, improved circularisation of production and use and reduced environmental impact. There is also likely to be positive impacts in real estate value and a shortening of payback time of renovation, representing also a commercial and business opportunity manufacturing and construction companies who can foster this type of strategy.

 

Case specific profits:

  • Development of prefab ‘Plug & Play’ solutions for facades, roofs, additional modules, both 2D as 3D, fostering faster renovation and acceleration of the process
  • Improvement of property functionality, performance, utility, thermal comfort, health and lower energy bills for the occupants.
  • Improvement in the property asset and increased value for the owners.

 

Case specific impact indicators:

  • The Percentage of primary energy saving after renovation (measured in kWh/m2 y) will be circa 70-75%
  • Percentage of CO2 emissions reduction (measured in Kg/ m2 annually) will be circa 70- 80%