Ardmore Studios

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Rd., Bray, Co. Wicklow

This project involved the demolition of existing administrative building (c.2,000 sq .ft.), security building (c.300 sq. ft.) and workshop (c.1,800 sq. ft.), construction of a new film studio building comprising a stage area (c.22,000 sq. ft.), and a 5 storey support building comprising support spaces, stores/props, waiting areas, changing areas, hair/make-up, production offices/admin, loading areas and plant.

The new stage and support building were constructed on the site of the existing surface car park, which was demolished and replaced with the undercroft car park. A new standalone security building was constructed at the main entrance, along with a redesign of the entrance and internal road layout, including new footpaths, cycle parking, control points and delivery/lay-by areas. The existing pillars at the main Ardmore entrance were relocated to the avenue within the site.

Project Works include:

• Provision of temporary car park areas
• Site clearance, Demolition of the buildings
• Bulk dig, Soil retention works
• Underpinning, Foundations
• Steel erection
• Floor slab and retaining walls, Blockwork
• Cladding to walls and roof
• Precast stairs and lift shaft
• External doors, Glazing
• Loading area and 72 space undercroft car parking.
• Studio FM2 floor slab
• Support space floors
• M&E 1st, 2nd & Final Fix
• Acoustic treatments
• Support Space fit-out works
• Commissioning
• Attenuation tank
• Storm and foul drainage
• Ducted services
• Watermain installation
• New security hut build & completions
• Service connections
• Hard and soft landscaping
• Roadways, Signage and fencing

Mechanical & Electrical Scope

• Upgrade of existing GNI gas meter
• Strip out of the existing gas and mains water incoming service
• Supply & Install of 2 No dry risers
• Supply & Install of Ground Source heat pump
• Supply & Install of new AHU located on roof
• Air conditioning install to Comms room and Security Hut
• Supply & Install of complete LTHW heating system to serve radiators throughout
• Supply & Install of car park smoke extract system
• Supply & Install of external LED lighting
• Supply & Install of 2No. electric car chargers
• Supply & Install of internal lighting installation
• Supply & Install of Cat 6A structured cabling system
• Complete security installation consisting of door access control, intruder alarm and CCTV
• Supply & Install of Fire alarm system to include Vesda aspiration system
• Lightning protection system

Key Challenges:

• Logistics Challenges – Working on a live film studio campus
• Incorporation of filming period shutdowns
• Logistics of construction in a tight site area
• Material & plant delivery logistical coordination
• King post retaining wall
• Underpinning to existing stage C building
• Enhanced building acoustic specification.

Ardmore has been home to TV and film productions for over 40 years, following its launch in 1958, it has played host to such high profile productions as Michael Anderson’s Shake Hands with the Devil in 1959; Francis Ford Coppolla’s Dementia 13 in 1963 and Martin Ritt’s The Spy Who Came in from the Cold in 1965.