Annual Report 2005 - The Office of Public Works

Architectural Services
The architectural practice within the Office of Public Works provides a service of
exceptional quality. It provides a comprehensive design and project management service
for public sector building projects, a conservation management and advisory service and
offers independent advice to the Government on architectural issues.
By operating closely with the Structural Engineering and Mechanical and Electrical
Sections of the Engineering Services Business Unit and with the Quantity Surveying Section
it offers a full in-house multi-disciplinary service to its customers.
Architectural Services have developed a reputation for quality and professionalism
reflected by the many awards achieved.
The practice has developed a comprehensive management system that is ISO 9002
accredited and produces annual accounts that consistently show Architectural Services to
be operating at a notional surplus.
Services offered to our customers include:
• Provision of full design and construction management service
• Project feasibility studies and reports
• Development of initial brief
• Advice on initial building and lifetime costs
• Advice on planning and building regulation issues
• Advice on health and safety
• Advice on conservation methods and procedures
• Advice on access to the built environment
The practice has a developed expertise in a number of areas:
• Modern office accommodation
• Conservation and restoration of heritage properties
• Prison buildings
• Garda buildings
• Public Offices and Government Departments
• Public access at heritage sites
• Exhibition Design
Project Portfolio
Normally the extent of work undertaken by Architectural Services is indicated by the value
of the portfolio of projects. However for 2005 Architectural Services was engaged in
substantial additional work for the decentralisation programme. This included the design
development of the new OPW Headquarters at Trim, Co. Meath following an in-house
design competition. Where the work of the decentralisation programme advanced from
investigative and analytical to project status its value has been included in the work
programme. For 2005 the work programme contained 374 projects with a combined value
of E1.552 billion.
Palm House,
National Botanic
Gardens, Dublin
Throughout the year variations occurred in the planned advancement of certain projects
owing to the changing priorities of the client. Although some 84 projects were added to
the programme a number of major projects were also removed resulting in an end of year
output value of E1.635 billion for 409 projects on hand.
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