GRIFFITH COLLEGE

GRIFFITH COLLEGE

GRIFFITH COLLEGE

PJ Hegarty was contracted for the construction and complete fit-out of two student accommodation buildings at Griffith College — Ireland's largest independent third level institution. Demolition of a number of old buildings started in August 2003 and both new blocks, totalling 13,800m² and comprising 352 bedrooms and 603 bed spaces, were completed by March 2005. The accommodation blocks were designed to be architecturally sympathetic to the original buildings on campus, while construction of an underground car park provided more than 150 parking spaces.

Client : Bellerophon
Service : Education
Architect : Aidan Powell & Associates
Quantity surveyors : Henley Kavanagh & McGowan
Structural engineer : N/A
Services engineer : N/A
Value : €36 million

The development project was undertaken on a live operating campus which required strict safety management and complex planning to ensure no disruption to the running of the facilities. Our attention to detail in coordinating construction work with the college’s activities was highly commended and we were recommended for further redevelopment of the campus. PJ Hegarty negotiated a subsequent contract for construction of the Academic Facilities Building, which consisted of a conference centre, lecture facilities, accommodation, restaurant, bar and students union at a cost of €15.8 million.

The new buildings were built to meet the needs of additional teaching, examining and catering facilities required by its growing Irish and international student body. They were officially opened by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on September 25, 2006.