The Folly, Waterford

The Sacred Heart Church

Client name:

The Sacred Heart Church Parish

Project Manager/Architects:

C.J. Falconer & Associates

Project value:

€1.2 million

Site Size:

1,932 m²

Project Brief

The Sacred Heart Church, originally constructed in 1969, forms the centre of a large residential community. The combination of exposed concrete beams, numerous individual roofs, and 108 stained glass panels has over time, resulted in a wide variety of building defects. This presented a challenging refurbishment project. In addition, our client wanted the church to remain in full operation, which required comprehensive design and construction solutions.

The Results

An innovative approach was necessary to ensure that the project would be delivered with respect for the religious nature of the building, and its day-to-day uses. This was undertaken in a community setting and included the co-ordination of multiple sub-contractors on a complex shaped roof area of approx. 3,000m², internal works, and the replacement of an underfloor blown hot air heating system. The refurbishment resulted in an exceptional, crisp, and subtle aesthetic facelift to this 50-year-old building, without removing any of its original character.