3rd Dimension Studios are currently working on the 2D and 3D graphics for a major new Health & Lifestyle TV show airing in September.  The show is called How Healthy Are You? and we are working on all aspects of the graphics from name straps to the 3D animation of the human body.  The logo however must be credited to redman Design – www.redmandesign.ie

“Its a very different and challenging project but we have learnt to adapt over the last couple of years and winning work outside your comfort zone is very rewarding. It was the 3D elements that we were able to offer secured us the project.” – N Polley

You can check out www.howhealthyareyou.ie for information on the show.

3rd Dimension Announce New SketchUp Service

From as little as €300 you can have your project fully visualised in 3D and whats more you  receive the digital model at the end of the project!

“Its a win win situation for 3rd Dimension. We are able to offer a cost effective solution to clients who in this current climate are watching every penny. At the same time this new service doesn’t dilute our core principles of 3D visualisation. We looked at many options on how we could offer such a service and SketchUp proved to be the best. 

It’s been a huge success as many Architectural practices are now using SketchUp. Supplying the actual 3D digital model at the end of the project along with a overview of how to use the software is a massive bonus to clients. And because the software is freeware they can pass it onto their clients who can tour their new home or building from any angle. It also allows our clients to chop and change the model without worrying about additional costs” – N Polley

For more information on the service or if you would like a quote, contact our studio on 01 2880186 or drop us an email at info@3rddimension.ie

What’s next for NDP2?

There are winners and losers from the capital spending cuts earlier this year but there are still projects there, writes Irish Construction Industry Magazine editor, Colin Leopold. In between Supplementary Budget cuts and the setting up of NAMA, it feels somehow incongruous to talk about a National Development ‘Plan’.

ROAD RAIL NETWORK
The backbone of road and rail infrastructure in Ireland to 2013 consists of Transport 21, a central part of the National Development Plan. With only one project taking off the ground in 2009, most of the road infrastructure funding is being channelled through to repair, maintenance and improvements (RMI).  Indeed, the announced allocation for funding in 2009 consists of a total of 2.1 billion, of which €1.7 billion was earmarked for RMI (€1,137 million for national roads plus over €600 million in local and regional roads).

Furthermore the government announced it had secured close to €2 billion in private investment on the National Roads Programme. With regards to rail, funding will be an issue in the short term especially on some Luas lines. However the government has committed itself to deploying Metro North (linking Dublin’s city centre to Swords via the airport), key Luas extensions and Iarnród Éireann’s resignalling project. All in all, this sector does provide some opportunities but they mostly remain confined to the capital city for new build (likely projects to go ahead in Dublin valued at over €9 billion).

article ref: irishconstruction.com

For anyone that hasn’t seen or heard of the effect known as Tilt Shift, it is a must see. Making Architecture and objects appear as minature scale models is extremely impacting and is becoming very popular.

This video was created by Patrick Johnson  from Boston MA and we are a fan. Watch out for some 3rd Dimension animations created in the same form!

watch video here

Developer Bernard McNamara is expected to start building a new €100m cinema and shopping complex next to The Square, Tallaght, later this year after signing up UCI/Leisureplex as tenants for a new multi-screen cinema complex.

With UCI/Leisureplex committing to occupy 145,000 sq ft, or 56pc, of the property on a 25-year lease, this will effectively cover the construction cost for the project, thus facilitating Mr McNamara’s company to raise funds in order to undertake the building work.

When fully let and completed in 2012, the project may be worth €100m. Construction would cost much less. Agents for the project, Kelly Walsh, are now seeking tenants or buyers of the remaining retail space, which they are offering at rents of around €295.98 per sqm or for sale at €4,500 per sqm. The Butler brothers, Ciaran and Colum, of Leisureplex operated the UCI franchise for the existing cinema in The Square, but gave it up earlier this year.

click here to read entire article

article ref: irish independent / commercial property

Jobs to be created by Ireland’s growing offshore wind industry

According to a report published by Siemens, an estimated 45,000 to 80,000 green collar jobs will be created as a result of investment in offshore wind technology manufacturing

These jobs will be created Europe wide; Ireland, in particular, will reap the benefits from this quickly growing industry over the next few years. With over €50 billion set to be invested in Irish Sea and Celtic Sea in the next two decades, getting involved in the development of offshore wind energy could provide a major boost to Irish companies in the marine, construction, engineering and service industries.

According to Brian Britton of National Offshore Wind Association of Ireland (NOW Ireland), Ireland needs to focus on the huge supply-chain opportunity that offshore wind provides: “The UK government and UK companies have been proactive in seeking to tap into this market. Recent weeks have seen major job announcements by international market leaders such as Iberdrola, GE and Mitsubishi, Clipper Windpower and Multibrid, all locating operations in the UK.

“Ireland is perfectly positioned to attract this foreign investment and also to build our own indigenous businesses. Industry sources have estimated that 60,000 jobs will be created in offshore wind development in the next two decades. Ireland needs to be fighting for its share of them. This event is a key part in helping Irish companies to secure business,” he added.

article ref: www.irishconstruction.com

Office market recovery begins in Dublin

According to the latest report by DTZ Sherry FitzGerald, the emerging evidence of a recovery in the office market seen in the first quarter of 2010 has been further underwritten by the performance of the market during the second quarter of the year

The doubling of take up activity in the second quarter is very positive news for the overall office market, said the property advisory network. “The uplift in enquiry levels from the closing quarter of 2009 has translated into an uplift in occupation levels in quarter two 2010,” said Marian Finnegan, Chief Economist DTZ Sherry FitzGerald. “This is best illustrated by the transition of net absorption from negative levels since quarter one 2009 to a positive net take up recorded during quarter two 2010. As such we would be cautiously optimistic that the worst is over for the Dublin office market.”

The report also said that the quantity of space available in the Dublin office market fell during the second quarter of the year to stand at 743,300 sq m at the end of June. Although this only represents a modest fall, it marks the first reduction in the quantity of available space in over 18 months. “The decrease in overall availability for the first time in 18 months is testament to the improving market and shows that the pick-up in sentiment we have witnessed on the street over the past nine months is transferring into deals now. Furthermore the significant increase in the amount of reserved space and quantity of deals highlights the improving market. This trend is set to continue as the overall economy improves.”

However, the report also noted the tightening of future supply with only 28,400 sq m under construction, to be delivered in 2010. This is the lowest level ever recorded and it comprises speculative development in the prime central business district. Given the existing quantity of stock available in the market, DTZ said they are not anticipating significant new construction until 2012.

article ref: www.irishconstruction.com

THE controversial ban on one-off houses along the nation’s secondary roads is to be scrapped, the Irish Independent has learned.

But new developments, such as fast-food restaurants and giant warehouse-type retail outlets, are to be completely banned from motorway and dual-carriageway interchanges on the main primary network. Environment Minister John Gormley is proposing to give councils powers to allow one-off developments on main secondary roads under new planning guidelines.

The move is certain to be welcomed by Fianna Fail councillors and deputies who have vehemently opposed the ban — which has been supported by the Mr Gormley’s Green Party. The ban on fast-food restaurants and warehouse-type outlets from motorway and dual- carriageway interchanges is designed to stop the creation of unnecessary local traffic mixing with cars and trucks moving along the primary national road network.  Currently, there is a cordon sanitaire — or quarantine line — on developments on main primary and secondary routes.

The changes give new flexibility for one-off houses and other developments on secondary routes that are not going to be upgraded in the near future by the National Roads Authority (NRA). The new guidelines are due to be published shortly. They mean that shopping and other commercial developments will not be permitted at key interchanges, such as that at Blundlestown on the new M3, which runs through the Skryne valley in Co Meath. The NRA routinely objects to one-off houses along main roads because of the dangers involved in cars moving on to and off the roads interacting with fast-moving trucks and cars. However, the new guidelines giving the green light to housing and other developments will apply only to secondary roads that are not going to be upgraded.

Guidelines

It is expected that normal safety criteria for main secondary roads will apply and will not be affected by the changes. The ban on one-off houses on the main inter-urban primary routes will remain, due to those same safety concerns. The planning guidelines will be put out to public consultation, after which they will be finalised. Local authorities and An Bord Pleanala will then have to take account of the guidelines when deciding on planning applications and any objections to them. Another feature of the new guidelines is that developments already in place on motorway or dual-carriageway interchanges cannot be altered for other uses.  For instance, a retail shopping premises could not be turned into a fast-food outlet.

article ref: wwwbuckplanning.ie & Treacy Hogan -Irish Independent

Rockbrook Park School, Dublin

Paul O’Toole Architects has replaced old, sub-standard facilities at this school located in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains with a contemporary secondary school for 350 boys.

What was the biggest challenge with the project?
Combining the brief requirements within a tight budget. This required analytical discussions with the client, developing the brief specifics and winnowing out surplus or duplicated elements. It is always a satisfying achievement to bring a client’s, perhaps pre-conceived, ideas forward to a point where they’re surprised and contented with the result.

Is there something relating to the design that differs to similar educational buildings?
Rockbrook is a privately funded school but in the interests of providing the best possible solution, we adopted the Department of Education standards for teaching accommodation. However, not having the Department’s constraints allowed us to provide more generous circulation and more ancillary facilities. This is phase one of the school’s development programme. Vertical circulation, toilet accommodation and plant have been scaled to allow for the addition of a future wing of approximately 40% more floor area. We have recently also completed a sports changing pavilion for the school on an adjacent area of the grounds. This building is finished in the same materials as the new school block – which reinforces our aim to provide an integrated school campus that will develop over the years as the school’s needs grow and diversify.

click here to read entire interview

article ref: www.irishconstruction.com

New €500m Navan rail route confirmed

Irish Rail is to proceed with the necessary planning permission for the second phase of the Navan Rail line following the selection of the preferred route , it has been announced.

The preferred option for the €500m second phase of the Navan rail line has been confirmed following the assessement of two different routes by Iarnrod Éireann. Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey announced this week that ‘route A’ option past Dunshaughlin had been chosen for the rail extension.

Work is already underway on the €160m first phase of the rail link to Pace, near Clonee and Dunboyne and is on target to open in the autumn of next year.

click here to read entire article.

article ref: irishconstruction.com