Certified Passive Semi-D Houses, Salthill, Co. Galway

The architectural design of Ireland’s first certified passive semi-detached housing development, by the owner Karina Heaslip, was not originally intended as passive house. Mannion House Builders sat down with the clients and methodically worked to adapt the plan to achieve the requirements of a passive build.

The clients owned a house on the site that was unsuitable for refurbishment, the project initially involved the demolition of the existing building. Once construction began, access on either side of the house was reduced one meter, so several jobs normally left to the end of the build had to be brought forward. All of the topsoil and rocks for rockeries went in first, as did the tank for the rainwater harvesting system. Ireland’s first certified passive semi-detached housing development was completed in 10 months.

This involves detailed pre-construction planning crucial to successful construction and on-time delivery, and allows the client and team a clear pathway to the bidding process, construction phase, and through to completion.