The latest image of the multi-million euro Emerald Project in Ballymun which is set to be one of the most energy efficient housing projects ever built in Ireland. Image courtesy of Solearth Ecological Architecture

The two- and three-bedroom houses are expected to cost residents less than €300 a year to run, according to Sustainable Energy Ireland. The A2 building energy rating of the houses should result in low heating and electricity prices. It is also expected that the projects will provide real value for money in terms of construction costs. “These seven projects indicate, that in the current environment, that we can make the quantum leap towards carbon neutral housing without any real impact on the overall cost of housing. “They will also show that very low energy homes can be built without huge costs, using a lot of the existing technology and knowledge available to the construction industry,” the Minister said. The seven local authority housing schemes are in Tramore, Co Waterford, Clondalkin in South Dublin, Tralee, Co Kerry, Newbridge, Co Kildare, Roscommon Town, Tahmahon, Co Wexford, and Portlaoise, “I am informed that the costings for these seven projects are very competitive. I have said on many occasions previously that doing things the ‘Green Way’ is always cheaper in the long run. “But the preliminary costing for these seven projects are very interesting and show that the costs from the outset represent excellent value for money,” said the Minister.

Image courtesy of Solearth Ecological Architecture

The Emerald Housing Project was conceived by The Emerald Housing Co-operative with partners Cluid Housing Association. The main building contractor is expected to be announced shortly. The project, which consists of 37 units as well as a communal facility, is expected to take 18 months to complete. Architects Solearth are using the best and most appropriate techniques in consultative planning to create an integrated project. The scheme features solar site design, passive ecological design measures and many green technologies to create a community that will be carbon neutral in terms of heating, will cleanse most of its water and grow some of its own food. The seven shortlisted projects are: Project: Sheltered Housing Development at Valhalla, Watery Lane, Clondalkin Local Authority: South Dublin County Council (in partnership with Clanmil Ireland) Architects: SDCC Architectural Services Department Proposed Features: An infill site close to services and amenities, district geothermal heating system, passive stack ventilation and winter gardens proposed. Project: Mitchell’s Crescent, Tralee Local Authority: Tralee Town Council Architects: NBA Architects Proposed Features: Good location and part of larger town centre regeneration, good u-values, traditional build, no secondary heating, draft lobbies and some solar water heating. Project: Athgarvan Road, Newbridge Co. Kildare Local Authority: Kildare County Council Architects: Kildare County Council Architectural Services Department Proposed Features: Excellent town centre location with potential for additional units, mechanical heat recovery with innovative compact unit incorporating natural gas boiler and ‘solar ready’ domestic hot water tank connected to solar panels, high degree of air-tightness and advanced controls. Project: Abbey Court, Roscommon Local Authority: Roscommon County Council Proposed Features: Well located in existing development. Good passive layout, u-values and air-tightness, air-to-water heat pump, solar panels and heat recovery ventilation system. Project: Tagmahon, Co. Wexford Local Authority: Wexford County Council Architects: Wexford County Council Proposed Features: Located relatively close to village centre facilities, wood biomass district heating scheme proposed for primary heating. Project: Conniberry Way, Old Knockmay Road, Portlaoise Local Authority: Laois County Council Architects: Evelyn Duff Architects Proposed Features: Site well within walking distance of town centre, Good u-values, air-tightness, heat recovery ventilation and solar water heating with traditional build. Project: Beechmount, Tramore for Respond! Housing Association Local Authority: Waterford County Council Architects: Respond! Proposed Features: Single dwelling on well located brown-field site, good renewable component with geothermal heat pump and wood pellet stove as secondary space heating.