RAIN WATER is collected for use by the residents and the walls are insulated with wool. While these may sound like practices of the past, in reality these features are part of the apartment complex of the future.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley and Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne were on hand yesterday at the opening of a new housing scheme designed with energy conservation in mind.
The apartments, in Dublins York Street, near St Stephen’s Green, are part of a new initiative by Dublin City Council to provide sustainable social housing and replace the homes originally on the site which were demolished in 2005.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Byrne called for continued support for such initiatives. “If we all redouble our efforts to rebuild our communities, we can improve the future for our children,” she said.
Since the new apartments were built, many of the residents who left the old buildings four years ago have since returned to live there. One of these residents, Charlie Long, was invited to speak at the launch, and expressed his delight at living in the modern homes.
The new complex consists of 66 units and comprises one-, two- and three-bedroom dwellings. Energy-saving features of the buildings include solar panels which provide hot water and an on-site communal composter.
In addition, much of the timber from the old apartments was recycled and used again in construction, while two previously used Georgian doors create an archway into the central garden area. Twelve stainless steel water casks are used to collect rain water in the courtyard, while large amounts of sheep wool are inserted into the external walls to provide added insulation.
Mr Gormley praised the House of Tomorrow programme, which provided funding for the project. The programme, funded by the National Development Plan and managed by Sustainable Energy Ireland, gives financial assistance to building work that aims to promote energy efficiency.
The energy-saving features are expected to reduce fuel costs by up to 70 per cent and cut CO2 emissions by over 50 per cent.