Assenli housing project first to benefit from Joint Committee framework

Galway County Council and Galway City Council have jointly developed a framework to enable the development of social and affordable housing through a design-build accelerated delivery programme.

The two developments in Assenri are the first to benefit from the framework and will deliver 30 new homes on the existing Gort Mhaoilir social housing estate and a further 11 new homes on the town’s existing Curlibaun housing estate.

Galway County Council has awarded the design-build contract for both developments to Studio PKA, which is acting as lead architect for the project, with an integrated design team comprising Mulcahy Mc Donough (QS), SDS Design Engineers (civil and structural engineers), CBS Consulting Engineers (mechanical and electrical engineers) and Fact Fire Consulting Engineers (fire engineering services).

Michael Owens, Director of Housing Services at Galway County Council, explained: “The new framework is based on a two-year contract with the option to renew. This will speed up the delivery of construction projects in Galway City and County Galway, while also promoting the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).

“The integrated design team service element of the framework allows for an integrated design team led by an architect from all disciplines to be appointed for each project, rather than each discipline being appointed separately,” he said.

Mr Owens concluded: “Both local authorities will now be able to run a small project competition on e-tendering, with entries limited to six pre-qualified participants, reducing the administrative burden of a larger public competition.”