No. 10 Ardee Street

Client

Private Client

Project overview

BB7 were appointed to provide fire engineering, disability access consultancy, Assigned Certifier and Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) services for the restoration and redevelopment of No. 9, 10 & 11 Ardee Street in Dublin. The project centres around No. 10 Ardee Street, one of the last surviving Georgian houses within Dublin’s historic Liberties quarter and a Protected Structure of significant architectural and historical importance.

Dating back to the early 1820s, the three-storey-over-basement residence extends to more than 595m² and retains much of its original fabric, including an open-string timber staircase as a prominent feature of the entrance hall, decorative plasterwork, original joinery and stone flag floors. The building was formerly associated with the Watkins, Jameson and Pim brewery complex, with origins tracing back to 1766, as well as holding historical significance relating to the 1916 Easter Rising.

The project involved the full restoration of the existing building alongside construction of a contemporary extension to provide modern office accommodation, requiring extensive structural strengthening and fire protection works while preserving the building’s historic character.

BB7 Response

Delivering compliance with modern fire safety standards within a Protected Structure introduced several challenges. Existing circulation arrangements and historic stair configurations required careful consideration to achieve compliant means of escape while minimising intervention to protected elements. This was supported through sensitive coordination of service routes, protection of existing structural elements, and floor upgrades undertaken from above to achieve the required fire resistance while preserving historic fabric.

Through the development of a bespoke fire strategy, our team supported the retention of key Georgian features while integrating modern life safety requirements, including protected escape routes, upgraded compartmentation and enhanced fire protection measures. This performance-led approach enabled compliance to be achieved without unnecessary alteration to the building’s heritage significance.

Balancing the requirements of Part M of the Building Regulations with the constraints of a protected interior presented a further challenge. Accessible routes, sanitary facilities and circulation spaces had to be incorporated within the historic Georgian layout while preserving original architectural features and minimising intervention to protected fabric. The introduction of a new passenger lift and accessible circulation routes required careful integration within the existing building, improving accessibility while responding sensitively to heritage constraints. Close collaboration with the wider design team and conservation stakeholders was essential to maintain access requirements while retaining original staircases, doors and finishes.

The adjoining historic buildings, previously affected by road widening works, required full demolition prior to construction of the extension. This involved extensive temporary structural strengthening and carefully managed construction staging. Through our PSDP role, our team coordinated and reviewed temporary works throughout this phase to support safe delivery on site and manage construction risks associated with the historic setting.

Acting as Assigned Certifier, BB7 worked closely with the wider design team throughout the project, reviewing construction details and undertaking site inspections to ensure the building could meet modern standards while minimising intervention to the historic fabric.

Benefits of service

Our integrated role as Fire Engineer, Disability Access Consultant, Assigned Certifier and PSDP provided the client with a single point of technical coordination across design, compliance and construction. By combining these disciplines early, we helped reduce risk, maintain programme continuity and support compliance without unnecessary intervention to the historic structure.

Through careful coordination and performance-led solutions, we enabled the preservation of significant Georgian features while supporting compliance with modern standards for safety, accessibility and occupation. This interdisciplinary approach protected the long-term value and historic integrity of the asset while delivering a compliant and buildable solution for future use.