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Saint Vincent de Paul, Malahide

Following the success of our Gorey project, PKA was again commissioned by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, in association with Fingal County Council, to design this sheltered housing and communal building development at Estuary Road, Malahide.

Located on a backlands site, PKA's design consists of two ranges of housing: a curved terrace winds along the public road side's boundary; and this is faced by a series of pavilion blocks, each containing three units that screen an adjoining housing development to the rear.

An enclosed garden as the focus of the scheme creates a secure environment for the residents. All living rooms face onto this space, maximising passive surveillance and generating a sense of communal engagement among residents.

The mix comprises of 31 one-bedroom units, and 6 two-bedroom ones. All are fully accessible and fully meet the relevant standards and code requirements for disabled access.

The community building which overlooks the courtyard contains social, education and service facilities for the residents, comprising a café, lounge, prayer and meeting room as well as laundry facilities.

Not unlike its Gorey predecessor, the language is simple and economic; rendered walls, slate roofs, timber windows and cedar cladding are used on all three elements to give the scheme an identifiable character and identity.

Using state-of-the-art technologies to reduce carbon emissions, the scheme has obtained a B1 energy rating, with solar panels, self-condensing boilers and high insulation levels.

The project has been widely praised by its residents and housing professionals alike. It won the Irish Council for Social Housing's best housing for the elderly in 2009.


Client: Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Value: €6,103,308
Size: 2,000 sqm

Reference: Mr. Pat Sheehy, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Malahide.
Design: 2004
Completion: 2008

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