New Building Control Regulations - what are they?

Since March 1st 2014 new houses, extensions over 40m2 and buildings which are subject to a Fire Safety Certificate (for example, certain alterations and most commercial work) are subject to new Building Control Regulations.

(i) Building owners (of the above) will now need to appoint a design certifier (an architect, engineer or building surveyor) prior to construction.  The design certifier will confirm that the design complies with Building Regulations.  

(ii) The building owner will also have to appoint an assigned certifier (an architect, engineer or building surveyor) to certify, along with the builder, during construction, that the building is constructed in compliance with Building Regulations.

These new duties are explained in more detail in the Code of Practice published by the Department of Environment,

In practice this will lead to greater oversight of both the design and construction processes but, being a private function, will attract more fees for the building owner.  Our current estimate is that the service would increase the fees (to architect) by somewhere in the region of 20-35%. 

Background

Approximately one year ago the Government and DoELG passed S.I. no. 80 of 2013 into law but it contained some fundamental flaws. A huge effort was put in (mainly voluntary) by RIAI committees, Council Members and staff, in conjunction with other stakeholders, to make the system workable and insurable.  The outcome was the adoption of S.I no.9 of 2014 (replacing S.I.80 of 2013) in January of 2014 about five weeks before the enactment date of March 1st 2014.

Minister of DoELG Phil Hogan's view was that the RIAI, amongst other professional bodies, had a year to prepare it's members but, as the updated S.I. is only just out now, the RIAI has only recently begun to train it's members.  The new mandatory online lodgement system (for Commencement Notices) only became available on March 1st and the entire system is a challenge to clients, practitioners and local authorities alike due to lack of any meaningful run-in period. We at ABA Architects, having undergone training, are prepared for the introduction of these new regulations and will continue to serve our clients in the best possible way. Enquiries can be sent to anthony@abaarchitects.ie .

Irish Georgian Society Grants

New Kitchen designed by ABA Architects

The Irish Georgian Society has launched a new Conservation Grants Scheme to provide financial assistance for works to structures of significant architectural merit.  The scheme will operate over a four year period with funding of approximately €50,000 to be made available in each year.  Grants will be awarded in two categories: i, a core grant for one larger project that is considered of particular importance and which would especially benefit from the support of the Irish Georgian Society; ii, smaller grants for projects such as the repair of windows, fanlights, doorcases, ironwork, decorative plasterwork etc and for the provision of essential conservation advice. For advise on this and other available grants for construction projects contact ABA Architects. We are an RIAI practice accredited in Conservation at Grade III and can advise on this and other aspects of conservation and restoration.

COURTYARD OASIS

In this project in Phibsboro we were keen to create a bright interior and so in order to avoid a large rear extension darkening the main house we put a garden room pavilion at the end and created a glazed link library corridor. The garden then became a private courtyard oasis. A basement was also created below the rear garden room containing a utility room as well as a wood pellet boiler and plant room and a large storage room for wood pellets. A combination of external insulation, internal dry lining and new insulated cavity walls as well as other upgrades ensured that the BER rating went from G to B.

ABA architects 20 years

WHITE ALTERATION IN SOUTH DUBLIN

This modest alteration involved replacing a conservatory, which was rarely used, with an insulated garden room and adjusting the lean to roof of the kitchen so that all the roofs were properly integrated. A combination of internal and external sliding doors gives a flexibility and sophistication to this alteration where a new wide opening was also formed linking Kitchen and Garden room.

COMPLETED AVOCA KITCHEN

As an architect I can visualize projects before they are built so this gives me an expectation of the outcome long before client can see it. In many cases the outcome meets my expectation but at this project in Avoca where the Kitchen was demolished and rebuilt my expectations were far exceeded. It is truly delightful and I think we had the dream team of client and builder to thank, as much as myself. The delightful oak trusses were finished with a simple bees wax finish. The indirect lighting by Willie Duggan perfectly compliments the mood and makes the entire space very restful. My last meeting went on for a while because...I simply didn't want to leave the space (and the company)!

AVOCA KITCHEN

If ever you are looking for an expert carpenter and builder in Wicklow you could do a lot worse than talk to Mick Murphy who is completing this new Kitchen wing I designed. He expertly made the oak trusses you see on this photo as well as acted as main contractor. The Kitchen represents a traditional style we sometimes do and in the case of this particular house it fits right in. I am looking forward to seeing the completed kitchen in  a few weeks, especially because the client makes the most divine coffee! I would also like to mention that the bay window area in this photo is not as low as it seems, the plasterer is on stilts! The Kitchen is complimented by a rear entrance lobby, utility space, garage with indoor access (from utility) and both east and west side terraces. A new car turning area was created at the front of the house so that the entire rear tarmac area could be re-landscaped as a garden, directly outside the west facing bay window. We look forward to seeing on this project the discreet uplighting system which is being provided by Willie Duggan Lighting in Kilkenny.