design + energy + excellence

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Welcome to the Team

With our growing number of enquiries comes a growing team, with this, on behalf of everyone here, we would like to welcome the newest member to the Isabel Barros architects team, Brian Kehoe.

Brian was born and raised in Wexford. Educated in Kilmore National School and Bridgetown Vocational College. It was during his early educational years where he developed a keen eye for construction and design. Finishing secondary school and enrolling in a construction architecture course before moving onto Waterford Institute of Technology to study Architecture Technology graduating in 2011.

Once graduated, Brian took his skills abroad moving to Australia. For 6 years Brian worked in Sydney, Darwin and Gold Coast working on and completing many projects across Australia from small residential projects to multi-unit developments. The below picture shows a finished construction project, just one of many multi-unit developments in Australia that Brian was heavily involved in, helping with the design layout and completing the drawings.

Darwin Australia. Multi-Unit Development. Project completed by Zest DCA.

After Australia, it was time for a new challenge, setting his sights on Canada. This time Brian stepped out of the office into the cold mountain air, taking on a more hands-on approach working in the construction industry.

Hiking Tent Ridge, Canada. Insta- @brianotography

Brian has a passion for adventure photography and exploring taking himself to new heights with hiking. His love for the outdoors gives him the drive to work with more sustainable methods/materials, trying his best to impact the earth as little as possible.

With his international work and travel experience, Isabel Barros Architects believes Brian will be a great addition to the team and wish Brian a very warm welcome.

Two Projects Shortlisted for Architecture Awards

We are delighted to have not one but two (!) projects shortlisted in the category of House Extension Refurbishment in the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2021.

The Awards recognise architectural excellence in building & design. The Building and Architect of the Year Awards provide a platform for architects and their buildings where the rich variety of architecture encompassing all the main building types, Residential, Public, Commercial and Cultural can be appraised.

The two Wexford projects designed by Isabel Barros Architects and nominated for an award are the ‘Seaview House’ in Kilmore and the ‘Shaolin Cottage’ in Killesk.

The ‘Seaview House’ has a bold timber cladded prolongation that transformed a typical 1970’s Irish bungalow into a modern twenty-first-century vibrant home.

The ‘Shaolin Cottage’ was influenced by Feng Shui principles and includes a unique relationship where new and old work together to create balance and harmony.

The winners of the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2021 will be announced online on May 20th.

Lockdown Dates for Construction in Ireland 2020-2021

First Wave: February – August 2020

Shutdown in construction activity from 28th March until 17th May 2020 (inclusive)

Total: 7 weeks

References:


Second Wave: August – December 2020

No shutdown.

Construction (and schools) remained open under Level 5 restrictions between 21st October 2020 and 1st December.


Third Wave: December 2020 – Present

Shutdown in construction activity from 6pm on Friday 8th January until 11th April 2021 (inclusive). Includes the phased reopening of schools and childcare.

From 12 April, all RESIDENTIAL construction can restart as well as early-learning and childcare projects.

Total: 13 weeks

From 4 May – Full reopening of construction activity.

References:


Measures (as per 6th April 2021) available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/

Current measures (as per 2nd June 2021) available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/


During shutdown construction was closed, with the following exceptions:

  • essential health and related projects including those relevant to preventing, limiting, minimising or slowing the spread of COVID-19
  • social housing projects, including voids, designated as essential sites by Local Authorities based on set criteria
  • housing adaptation grants where the homeowner is agreeable to adaptions being undertaken in their home
  • repair, maintenance and construction of critical transport and utility infrastructure
  • education facilities sites designated as essential by Department of Education
  • supply and delivery of essential or emergency maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, oil, plumbing, glazing and roofing services) on an emergency call-out basis
  • certain large construction projects in the exporting / FDI sector based on set criteria
  • in relation to private homes that are practically complete and scheduled for habitation by 31 January 2021, including where snagging, and essential remediation work, such as pyrite works is nearing completion, works should continue to enable homeowners access their homes. Heating, water, broadband and electricity installation should also continue to enable homes be occupied
  • existing tenancy protections mean that a tenant cannot be evicted from their home during the period of the 5km travel restrictions. To enable a limited functioning of the housing and residential tenancy market during this time it has also been agreed that online viewings will be the default approach to viewing property for rental or sale, with a physical viewing only permissible at the point where a tenancy agreement is being entered into or where a contract for sale has been drawn up. This approach balances the need to avoid social interaction with the need to provide a pathway to tenancy and home ownership for those who need it

This page was last edited on 2nd June 2021.

This document was prepared by Isabel Barros Architects.

Image: Construction Vectors by Vecteezy

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