New county buildings picks up national architecture gong

Westmeath County Council's new county buildings in Mullilngar has picked up the OPUS Architectural and Construction Award for the category of buildings over €20m. The award acknowledges the excellence in the construction process that combines management and teamwork with workmanship, ingenuity and creativity. Commenting on the county buildings in Mullingar, the judging panel stated: "The drawings and photos submitted for this building did not do it justice. A site visit revealed a set of new and historic buildings interacting in an ingenious manner. The timber and glass atrium roof straddles various buildings, linking old and new in an engaging manner. The new complex is innovative, sustainable, modern and respectful of its historic setting. A credit to all involved." The county buildings, which was opened on June 11 this year, is energy efficient and provides comfortable working conditiongs. The 74,900 square feet county buildings incorporates low-energy, passive design concepts relying on a natural ventilation strategy throughout the building and maximised the use of natural light. Heating is supplied to the building by natural and mechanical means. The building has been designed to heat up during daytime operational hours by means of Solar Gain or radiation from the sun. In essence this is free energy. Additional free sources of heating are derived from the occupants, visitors, personal computers and lightings fixtures. The building was designed so that the work and public spaces are ventilated by natural means where possible using a mechanism known as 'cross ventilation'. The design of the building takes advantage of as much natural daylight as possible, primarily as a source of solar radiation to efficiently and economically heat the building but also to provide sufficient levels of light as required. Light sensors are strategically placed to monitor daylight levels - if it is dark, the output level of the lights is increased and conversely if it is bright, the output level of the lights is lowered accordingly. The project contractor was Bennett Construction Ltd and the architect was Bucholz McEvoy.