Back in October 2019, COADY embarked on a research journey to redefine the future of the built environment and drive towards decarbonization. We are delighted to confirm that we have delivered the Irish demonstrator case and can now celebrate the amazing outputs of the Drive 0 EU H2020 project.

Over the last 4 years, we have worked together with Vision Built, TU Dublin and Westmeath County Council to research the use of circular retrofit concepts, technological advancements, transitioning to bio-based materials and incorporating design for disassembly (DfD) to drive sustainable and circular change. Together, we have challenged the status quo, pushed boundaries, and started to pave the way for a more circular built environment.

The Irish case study comprised the circular retrofit of two typical Irish 1970s social houses constructed of masonry block cavity walls with solid concrete ground floor, timber first floor and cold-vented attic timber roof. The retrofit incorporated similar modular wall panels and extension systems grounded in environmental and circular design principles. However, each had a bespoke system and renewables upgrade. The fabric upgrade entailed a conventional external wall insulation (EWI) system on the rear and sides, the replacement of windows and doors with triple-glazed aluclad units, and the addition of 2D modular wall panels on the front to achieve a targeted U-value of 0.20 W/m²K. A porch, showcasing a 3D ‘pod’ solution, was added using a similar modular construction and innovative ground screw foundations. One house, already equipped with a heat pump, was fitted with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) and a photovoltaic (PV) array. Conversely, the other house had its traditional solid fuel range swapped for a biomass pellet stove boiler, complemented by a PV array and a demand control ventilation system. Monitoring of energy consumption, air quality, and thermal comfort in both houses is ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of these changes, with positive interim results. The project’s key feature was the development of the modular construction system, which integrated low-carbon, bio-based materials and circular solutions. The Irish team, comprising COADY Architects, TU Dublin and Vision Built, adapted an existing light gauge steel structural wall system into a demountable, pre- finished wall panel embodying circularity principles.

The 9th consortium meeting in Brussels was the final meeting, where we presented the learnings and experiences of the project, so far. It was inspiring to see all the partners showcasing their final results, reflections and future potential of these innovative solutions.

Case 3: Residences, Athlone, County Westmeath

https://www.riai.ie/discover-architecture/architecture-ireland-digital/issue-331