Indicative Masterplan

Architect Rodd Bond has prepared an outline and indicative Masterplan for the Mount Anville Estate (See Data Room) to assist interested parties and place the vision for the lands in context. Whilst interested parties are encouraged to respond to the Province’s vision, alternative proposals respecting the vision and the following principles will be considered:
 
    1. A high-quality development which will enhance the neighbourhood and respect neighbours 
    2. The delivery of a coherent development of enduring architectural quality which complements the character of the area and makes this a place of which people are proud to be a part.
    3. Development to respond and contribute to the character of the area and Mount Anville Schools 
    4. Ensure all development is of the highest architectural quality and achieves best practice sustainability standards (e.g., energy conservation and SuDS) in accordance with DLRCC’s Climate Change Action Plan 2019 – 2024.
    5. To protect the amenities of adjacent residential areas.
    6. To examine potential synergies between the uses/activities on the site and with the surrounding area
    7. Proposals for incorporating the protected Upper Walled Garden in a scheme
    8. Provide for up to 10 additional car spaces beyond DLRCC Development Planrequirements

Applying the principals

The application of the above key principles to the opportunity presented by this important site should be indicated in the IP’s masterplan sketch scheme accompanied by sketch masterplan drawings.
The main components of the Masterplan for the Old Farmhouse and Lower Walled garden lands could include:
    1. A new ‘Age Friendly’ residential accommodation scheme 
    2. Multi-purpose ‘wellbeing’ communal facilities to meet changing needs of residents
    3. Potential for Intergenerational Community Space (shared) 
    4. Sophia Housing Association and Province accommodation on Old Farmhouse section of site or alternative proposal providing independence for the Province/Sophia

Age Friendly Housing

Government policy is contained in a (March 2020) Policy Statement: “Housing Options for Our Ageing Population”.
The Policy Statement identifies six principles:
1. Ageing in place
2. Supporting urban renewal
3. Promoting sustainable development
4. Using assistive technologies
5. Staying socially connected
6. Working together
 
The Policy Statement can be accessed at:
Interested parties are also requested to review The Housing Agency’s 
 
“Thinking Ahead: Independent and Supported Housing – Models for an Ageing Population – Case Studies of Independent and Supported Living in Ireland” Click here to download in pdf format

The Province and Sophia Housing Association Housing Requirements

Age friendly schemes usually contain a number of specific design features such as generous balconies/winter gardens and a communal courtyard. Residents usually enjoy the benefits of CCTV security, intercom, and emergency response call systems.
Some schemes allow 1.5 bed units to allow carers/family/visitors to stay overnight if needed, and the communal facilities might be shared by older persons from the surrounding area.

Sophia Housing Association’ s requirements are: a combination of 1.0, 1.5 and 2-bed apartments (three person 2-bed style)

The Society’s requirements are similar: a combination of 1.0, 1.5 and 2 bed apartments (three person 2-bed style) and suitable for use as social housing at a later date, as the Society’s requirements reduce.

The intention is to promote homes designed from an “ageing in place” perspective, applying age friendly design principles which can, ergonomically, provide more tolerance than ‘standard’ accommodation and easily adapt for more restricted mobility and assistive technologies, etc. Design will allow for ease of movement for residents around the units (and carers/visitors/family, as required).

The block plans and elevations should be designed in such a way that each present as a ‘front elevation’, with the elevation addressing the Upper Walled Garden offering particular opportunities. Access galleries, private garden patios, balconies and winter gardens will represent important elevation elements.

Programmatic Vision Statement

A shared Programmatic Vision Statement for the Province and Sophia is included in the Data Room. The statement highlights important functional, formal, economic and time-oriented factors and influences that should be considered in addressing the project’s ambition.

The statement emphasises the requirements and considerations that are of significance to the Province and Sophia. The extent to which these can be met within partners’ proposals will frame the project team’s overall assessment of submissions. These requirements can be narrowed to the following essential partner selection criteria:
 
  • Ethos:  That the partner’s corporate social values are complimentary to those of IRS/Sophia
  • Experience: That the partner has experience of working with religious congregations and AHBs so that collaborative working practices can be most effective
  • Timeliness: That the partner recognises the time-critical nature of RSCJ accommodation needs and can prioritise development if necessary to deliver housing to RSCJ in the shortest time possible.   
  • Innovation and Quality:  That the partner is committed to high quality work that is appropriate to the needs of older persons (age-friendly/universal design standards) and where developments are sustainable environmentally, and sensitive ecologically. 
 
See Data Room for detailed information.

Design Standards

General Design Principles
The development should be a high quality, sustainable scheme of suitable character.
The architecture should be modern and contemporary but should respect and integrate positively with the surrounding context. The design should maximise the potential of the site for quality urban design and placemaking, complementing and adding to the architectural quality of the receiving environment, all in the context of an age friendly scheme.
A consistent materials palette should be applied to all elements of the proposed scheme and should be respectful of the existing form and character of the surrounding neighbourhood.
All common areas should be constructed in accordance with the relevant codes of practice, and roads and landscaping (as appropriate) should be suitable for taking in charge by the DLRCC if required. Road access from Lower Kilmacud Road should allow for potential future development.

Elevation Treatment and Streetscape
It should be noted that some of the scheme elevations will be visible to the public. Careful consideration must be given to ensure that a consistent quality of design and material finish is applied to all faces of the development, albeit the two sections of the site (Old Farmhouse and Lower Walled Garden) could be considered for separate, but complementary, treatment.

The elevations should be completed in robust and low maintenance materials, carefully selected, and detailed in order to give longevity, depth, and quality to the elevations. Scheme elevations should take account of the fact that neighbouring properties are mainly detached and semi-detached two storey houses. Sustainability principles must be reflected in elemental aspects of the design. Balconies and winter gardens are expected to be important design features.
Well-designed integrated entrances will be required at the street level to create a vibrant streetscape.

Landscaping
As ‘institutional lands’ open space requirements are 25% under the current Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Development Plan and proposed at 20% in the Draft Development Plan 2022-2028 . Landscaping formed as part of the development should complement the buildings, forming an integral part of the design. High quality, natural materials, should be specified, detailed, and carefully crafted for quality and visual appearance as well as robustness, longevity, sustainability, and low maintenance.
Appropriate soft landscaping and planting will be required to enhance the user experience, and to promote biodiversity and sustainable urban drainage.

Independence of Province/Sophia Housing Association Units
Outside a contribution for external common area maintenance of the immediate entrance road serving the Province/Sophia area of the development, the Province and Sophia Housing Association units wish to be otherwise independent and self-contained from a service/management charge perspective.

Upper Walled Garden
While recognising its protected nature, IP’s are requested to present ideas to how the Upper Walled Garden might be incorporated in any proposals or outline how a potential development might relate/engage to/with the Upper Walled Garden.