Varming Project wins prestigious 2022 ACEI Design Excellence Award

Varming Consulting Engineers are delighted to announce that our practice was successful in achieving a 2022 ACEI Design Excellence Award in the Mechanical and Electrical Category for professional services provided in respect of our Donegal Garda Station refurbishment and extension project.

The adjudicators’ Award Citation for the winning project reads:
“A contemporary, three storeys over semi-basement, modern extension along with an extensive refurbishment of a Garda Station. Limited site space was overcome by the use of Air Source Heat Pump technology to allow the building to achieve its high specification energy ratings of nZEB and BER A3. Early stage detailed design was critical in avoiding clashes and selecting appropriate routes, voids and riser location for the many services required. In-house dynamic simulation was used to validate the design’s environmental sustainability. The project was a winner in the 2021 RIAI Cultural/Public Building and Sustainability awards.”

This project involved extensive refurbishment and alteration to the existing facility to achieve NZEB compliance and provided a modern fit out. The works included demolition of existing two storey extension, refurbishment of the existing station, construction of a three-storey over semi-basement contemporary extension to the rear including a new custody suite, with rooftop plant room, new boundary enclosures, secure storage, and all associated site works.

Pictured here receiving the awards in the Shelbourne Hotel are from left to right ACEI President (2021-2022) David McHugh, Trevor James (Rhatigan Architects), Declan Holmes (OPW), Varming Director Sean Neary and Conor Clarke (OPW).