Building Services – Moylan

The Little Museum of Dublin

kheard — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:04:03 +0000

The Little Museum of Dublin, located in a Georgian townhouse at 15 St Stephen’s Green, underwent a transformative €4.3 million redevelopment for over two years.

The refurbishment enhanced the museum’s visitor experience and operational capacity, positioning it as a flagship cultural site in central Dublin.

Jointly funded by Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Tourism and Culture, Dublin City Council, and private and corporate donors, the project supported the museum’s long-term growth as a tourism and education asset.

Working in partnership with conservation architects Deaton Lysaght, our team provided full structural and MEP engineering services for the redevelopment. A key feature of the project was the design and installation of a striking four-storey lift structure, framed in steel and clad in glass, to ensure inclusive access to all levels of the museum. The substructure included a 550mm-deep raft foundation set into stiff clay and reinforced concrete walls forming the lift pit. Above ground, the superstructure comprised a steel frame supporting the glass cladding, with vertical loads transferred through SHS columns and UC beams. Lateral stability was achieved via vertical diagonal bracing and structural connections anchoring the lift shaft to the existing building.

The scheme included a full revamp of the mechanical and electrical systems to provide a comfortable and welcoming internal environment, overcoming the challenges of working within a protected structure.

Life safety systems such as fire alarms and emergency escape routes were prioritised, and the lighting design was delivered in close collaboration with interior designers and specialist suppliers to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. Additional drainage and access improvements were implemented to support long-term resilience and improved visitor flow.

The refurbishment facilitated the expansion of the museum’s artefact collection, sourced from the Irish public, and enabled the reimagining of popular displays. Highlights included the Made in Dublin music room featuring a maquette of Vera Klute’s Luke Kelly statue, a basement garden with a historic K1 telephone box, a stairwell dedicated to former Dublin Lord Mayor Alfie Byrne, and a first-floor gallery overlooking St Stephen’s Green that chronicled Dublin’s history from Victorian times through Little Jerusalem, Oscar Wilde, Nelson’s Pillar and the 1916 revolution. New additions also included a youth education space, a reception area, and a patio for outdoor events.

Sustainability and longevity were central to the design approach. Scalable infrastructure and flexible programming reduced the need for future structural changes, aligning with environmental and social sustainability goals.

Coopers Cross

lrichards — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:10:57 +0000

The Kennedy Wilson mixed-use scheme, located at the North Docks in Dublin, represents a state-of-the-art, sustainable urban space. This modern development encompasses a range of uses, including prime office space, residential apartments with amenities, and green spaces, designed to encourage a dynamic environment.

Designed by O’Mahony Pike Architects, the scheme’s key features include 381,000 sq ft of office space, 20,000 sq ft of town hall area, café and business lounge spaces, 10,000 sq ft dedicated to cultural activities, plus over 1 acre of green and community space. Whilst the residential aspect of the scheme offers 471 new apartments, including a mix of unit types to cater to a diverse range of tenants, from studios to two-bedroom apartments and townhouses. Alongside a full range of tenant amenities, including two large residential courtyards, landscaped roof terraces, business suite, TV lounge, games room, gym, cafes, and restaurants.

Waterman Moylan was initially appointed by Kennedy Wilson in 2018 to provide planning-stage consultancy for this extensive residential and mixed-use scheme. Following the successful completion of the planning process, the scope of work expanded to include post-planning design and construction stages.

The development was designed across three potential schemes, with the final proposal settling on a development consisting of 472 residential units. These units are distributed across buildings that rise to seven storeys, with a basement level. The development gained approval under the Dublin Docklands SDZ planning scheme.

The project site, a 1.55-hectare brownfield plot, required an extensive environmental investigation to assess the presence of contaminants in the ground. The investigation confirmed only minor issues, allowing the project to proceed smoothly. Detailed design work for the development was completed in 2020, with the single-level basement and podium slab providing structural support for the precast concrete superstructure.

Strategically located, the development benefits from excellent transport links such as the Luas Red Line which runs alongside the site, offering direct access to the DART and rail network, which is just five minutes away by Luas to Connolly Station. Additionally, Dublin Airport is only 15 minutes by car, further enhancing the location’s appeal for tenants and businesses alike.

Designed as a Purpose-Built Rental Scheme (PRS), the development features a reduced car-parking provision compared to traditional owner-occupier schemes. This decision aligns with the expected low car ownership among tenants, given the site’s proximity to key transport connections and the central location in the North Docklands.

This modern development was completed in 2023, delivering a highly successful integration of residential, office, retail, and cultural spaces. It stands as a landmark project in Dublin’s North Docks and sets a new standard for urban living and working.

Kennedy Road Civic Square

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 21:29:32 +0000

The project involved the conversion of an informal public parking area serving over 50 retail and commercial businesses in the centre of Navan.

The development fronted directly into a high-quality public space providing formal parking, delivery areas, pedestrianisation, landscaping and public lighting while maintaining access to the existing businesses.

Waterman Moylan was responsible for liaison with the businesses, setting constraints for phasing the works and coordination of utilities diversions. Our on-site coordinator was singled out for special praise by Navan Town Council at the formal opening ceremony in June 2008.

Client: Navan Town Council
Architect: Paul Keogh Architects

Pembrin Wood

dbough — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 20:43:04 +0000

Pembrin Wood is a high-quality infill development consisting of seven large, detached houses off Beech Park Road in the leafy suburb of Foxrock, in south Dublin.

The development is located on a narrow site in the heart of a mature residential area and required very careful design to retain the existing mature trees on the site.

Waterman Moylan was appointed to provide fully integrated civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering services for the scheme, from initial planning to completion of construction.

Our team worked to maintain privacy for the surrounding homes, whilst at the same time fully realising the potential of the scheme for the future homeowners.