Grand Canal Harbour

Project Description

Grand Canal Harbour is a landmark residential and commercial development located in the heart of a historic dockyard. The project delivers 596 modern residential units across six distinct blocks ranging from three to thirteen storeys, with one being a restored protected 18th-century building repurposed to provide office and commercial accommodation.

The development includes over 7,000m² of resident amenities, such as cafés, a fitness centre, landscaped rooftop gardens and a central public plaza with a water feature reflecting the site’s maritime heritage. At its core, the development is designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, featuring a 5,500m² single-level basement that houses Power and Energy Centres, which serve 482 one-bedroom and 114 two-bedroom homes, collectively achieving an A3 Building Energy Rating (BER) and designed to meet Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standards.

The Grand Canal Harbour also incorporates the restoration of an 18th-century Protected Structure, which has been repurposed to house commercial spaces while preserving its historical significance.

Ethos Input

Ethos Engineering acted as both Mechanical & Electrical Engineers and Sustainability Consultants, providing comprehensive design leadership across the project lifecycle, working closely with the client to achieve HPI certification. The team developed and delivered the central energy plant and a diversified district heating system, optimised to serve variable heating loads throughout the development, ensuring efficient energy performance and operational flexibility.

The design incorporated Air Source Heat Pumps and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems to generate low-carbon heating and electricity, significantly reducing running costs and environmental impact. Ethos pioneered the use of Autodesk Insight360 for cloud-based daylight factor analysis in accordance with British Standards, allowing real-time feedback to the design team and enabling an integrated approach to planning and façade development.

In addition to advanced energy strategies, Ethos designed high-efficiency ventilation and heat recovery systems, individualised air conditioning solutions, and modern LED lighting schemes, ensuring optimal comfort and energy efficiency across all residential and amenity spaces. Specialist solutions were developed for constrained areas such as the fitness centre, where creative routing of building services maintained clear headroom without compromising performance. The use of advanced BIM methodologies supported precision design, coordination and accelerated project delivery.

Unique Key Features

Sustainability: Achieved 100% HPI certification across all 596 residential units, making this Ireland’s largest ever residential development to earn this leading sustainability rating.

Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: The design includes Air Source Heat Pumps and CHP systems to provide energy-efficient heating and electricity generation, resulting in reduced operational costs and environmental impact.

District Heating System: Ethos designed a diversified district heating system that recognises that not all units require peak heating at the same time, allowing for a lower overall capacity and improved energy performance.

Historical Preservation: The restoration of the 18th-century Protected Structure, the Harbour Warehouse, adds a historical dimension to the development. This iconic building now houses a medical centre, café, retail units, and co-working spaces, seamlessly integrating modern functionality with its industrial heritage.

Fitness Centre Innovation: Ethos employed creative design solutions for the fitness centre, overcoming headroom constraints by strategically routing cables and ducts while maintaining an open and unobstructed space.

Public Plaza & Water Feature: The central Plaza, linking the new residential development to the protected structure, serves as a versatile space for outdoor markets and events, featuring a water element that reflects the site’s maritime history.