PROJECT PROFILE
CARDINAL NEWMAN LIBRARY, ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE BELFAST
Cardinal Newman Library, where existing facilities were redeveloped to achieve a 30% increase in accommodation within the constraints of the existing building while minimising the carbon footprint attached to demolishing and constructing new facilities. “We identified that, as part of the redevelopment, we had to remove existing precast concrete floor and roof slabs and take them from the site for disposal to land fill,” said Peter. “We also noted that, due to the remodelling of the building, we required new floor and roof slabs in other areas of the building. “We researched the feasibility of reuse of the existing floor and roof slabs and, after surveys and investigations on site combined with design compliance checks, we were able to reuse these slabs. “This avoided not only the demolition, transporting and disposal of the existing slabs to landfill but avoided the carbon impact of manufacturing new slabs and transporting to site.” Project challenges, meanwhile, included safely working around the student population. “The rear elevation and central courtyard, which underwent complete redevelopment,
were surrounded on all four sides by our site and other education buildings, all of which remained live and in daily use during demolition, excavation and redevelopment of the courtyard into a vibrant open space for daily student use,” said Peter. Daily contact between Site Manager Gerry O’Hara and the SMUC estate management team, led by Gary Murphy, ensured planned activities were timed and sequenced to avoid hindering College operations. To mitigate potential overspill from already restricted on-campus parking, offsite parking was secured at a local sports club, and weekly client interface meetings were hosted to coordinate activity, a traffic management plan and out-of-hours works. Gary Murphy, Estates Manager at SMUC, said, “We have been very satisfied with the level of consultation and advice provided by both consultant and contractor teams throughout. The result has been a project delivered to a very high quality that meets and exceeds the needs of our staff and students.
together as the project completed on time, within budget and to a high build quality. There was a clear collaborative attitude throughout, focused on meeting the client’s strategic aims and objectives.” Emma Montgomery, Project Architect from Isherwood & Ellis, said, “The project involved use of a number of specialist finishes and bespoke furniture. These elements of design were incorporated and installed to a high standard, and the quality of the build is evident from the seamless integration and level of detail provided throughout.” Main contractor: Tracey Brothers, (Gerry O’Hara and Peter Maguire) Architect: Isherwood & Ellis (Emma Montgomery) M&E consultant: Wallace Whittle (Aidan Keown & Alistair Sherlock) Structural consultant: O’Connor Sutton Cronin & Associates (Belfast) Ltd Quantity surveying: Moore MacDonald & Partners (Denise McBay) PROJECT TEAM...
“The project team, from the client’s perspective, worked very positively
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