Ursuline’s College, Blackrock

Client – Department of Education

WMA broke new ground when given the opportunity to assess the feasibility of redeveloping the Ursuline Convent Secondary School in 1998. The completed feasibility study made it clear that a new school would need to be constructed to meet the needs of the Department of Education curricula. The schools historical links with the Blackrock area and the magnificent, albeit unsuitable nature of the original convent buildings fully engaged the resources of the practice to respond with an appropriate and cost effective solution. The school was completed in 2002 and since then has been the envy of many. Client comments: “The sports facilities are second to none, the building itself is ‘legible, efficient and a stimulating place to study and work.”

The school design embraced low energy design principles using daylighting, natural ventilation, maximising solar gain, zoning of heating systems and the best thermal envelope available for the budget. The Display Energy Certificate, based on meter readings achieved a B2 rating using just 36% of the energy required for a bench mark school based on 2010 regulations.