Projects Update - November 2009

Corey Stevens & Associates have been commissioned by the Office of Public Works to provide detailed surveying and draughting services for a substantial State-owned premises on Cecil Street in Limerick. The protected structure - originally a Guinness depot and later the city's labour exchange - is now used by FAS (the State's training body), but is in a general state of disrepair. Our work will form the first stage of a regeneration programme for the site.

While the Irish architectural market remains contracted and very competitive, we believe that some stability is developing, and this is being reflected in our steady turnover of work. Other residential, educational and environmental projects have been secured this month, which will mean a busy end to the year and hopefully a strong start to 2010.

Flooding in Ennis

The recent spate of local flooding in Ennis and other parts of the county (and indeed in Galway, Cork and other parts of Ireland and the UK) brings into sharp focus the urgent need for flood studies to be reviewed and for the planning system to be reformed to prevent further development on flood plains. In Ennis, work is virtually complete on a multi-million euro flood relief scheme, yet the town has been left in shock by the scale of damage inflicted on residents and businesses after the River Fergus burst its banks in several places.

These regular and prolonged intense rainfall events are something that we must get used to and adapt to. The Celtic Tiger years brought about severe development pressure in the towns and cities, but the authorities failed to manage land zonings correctly and are now counting the cost. The existing and supposedly cutting-edge sustainable drainage management systems (such as SUDS) are now proving themselves to be inadequate and must be overhauled. There is also a clear need for catchment management systems to be constructed retrospectively to older housing areas to provide urgently needed run-off control. In the meantime, there seems little option but to keep deploying the sandbags!

Our thoughts go out to the affected households and businesses. Unfortunately, with further rain and spring tides forecast this week, there may be more to come...

Lough Derg Holiday Village

Corey Stevens & Associates have been retained to provide a range of services for a programme of developments at Lough Derg Holiday Village Near Ogonnelloe, Co. Clare. The resort is located in idyllic surroundings on the banks of Lough Derg and currently comprises of 33 self-catering units, with a marina, bar and restaurant. Working in conjunction with McGahon Architects (Bunratty), we will provide architecural, planning and environmental consultancy for a substantial extension to the existing bar/restuarant building, a new stand-alone wedding/function facility on the lakeshore and a new site entrance, as well as an assessment and potential increase in the capacity of the existing on-site wastewater treatment plant. The development will provide a prestigious new wedding/function venue in East Clare and will signficiant broaden our Client's market base, whilst our appointment further strengthens our varied portfolio in the leisure and tourism sector.

Projects Update October 2009

We are now fully ensconced in our new offices at Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare and are benefitting from our improved facilities. In addition to our broad portfolio of existing and on-going projects, we are seeing some clients resurrecting dormant projects. We have also secured several new commissions including the following:

* 'Wellness Centre' with 14 no. accommodation units near Ruan, Co. Clare.
* Fit-out of 3,000 sq.ft office unit in Limerick.
* High specification dwelling at Doolin, Co. Clare.
* Various minor residential projects (refurbishments, extensions, etc.).
* Various on-site wastewater treatment plants ranging in size from one-off houses to an 80-population system.

New Offices

Corey Stevens & Associates have announced the forthcoming relocation of their offices to Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park, Ennis. Located adjacent to their existing premises, the new offices will provide the practice with additional and enhanced office floor space as well as an improved 'front of house' area. The move will provide the company with improved scope for future expansion and reflects its robust performance and continued ambition, despite challenging economic conditions.

Operations will commence in the new premises on Monday 24th August 2009.

Corey Stevens & Associates,
Unit 7, Quin Road Business Park,
Ennis, Co. Clare.
Tel 065 684 8585, Fax 065 684 8631
Email info@coreystevensltd.com

Housing Scheme in Lahinch

Corey Stevens & Associates have been appointed by private clients to complete the design and planning stages for the development of a residential/tourist housing scheme in Lahinch, Co. Clare. Located on a sloping site with views across the dunes of Lahinch to the Atlantic Ocean and the Inagh River estuary, the scheme will provide 20-25 contemporary units of various types and sizes, integrated into a landscaped hillside environment. This venture, combined with several other recent appointments for various architecural projects, offers signs of optimism for the local construction sector and helps to further strengthen CSA's position within the local architectural sector.

Hotel in Sixmilebridge

Clare County Council has recently issued a decision to grant planning permission for a 32-bedroom hotel with bar/restaurant, function room and basement car park on a site in the centre of Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare. The scheme - designed by Corey Stevens & Associates on behalf of a private Client - includes the demolition of an existing guesthouse and the re-development of an existing fuel merchants yard. The design of the two and three-storey hotel maintains the traditional character of the existing frontage onto The Square, yet makes use of contemporary lines and finishes elsewhere to provide an attractive and modern structure. A complementary landscaping scheme, including public open space alongside the Owenogarney River, will contribute to the general enhancement of the village centre by this development.