Based in Lucan, Co. Dublin, Alanna Homes is an Irish family-run property developer currently building approximately 400 units annually, and with a reputation for adopting innovative building systems and methodologies.



Our team at Altherm worked with Alanna on the prestigious Ardsolus development in Browns Barn, Citywest, which was a development of 60 x three and four bedroom homes.

In order to meet the demands of both the modern householder and best-practice standards in energy efficient building, every new home would need to be completed to nZEB standard and be finished to an A2 BER rating.

In terms of construction programme management, building houses in a suburban landscape relatively close to the city brings with it access challenges. This project would have to be managed to the highest standards with expert sequencing, stakeholder collaboration, and onsite communication all playing crucial roles.

The 60 homes were built using ICF (insulating concrete formwork) block. This provides excellent structural strength and thermal performance along with outstanding air-tightness. It also offers exceptional levels of acoustic insulation.



The superstructure was delivered using the Altherm ICF blocks ensuring delivery of A-Rated homes. Our client further developed their Rapid Off-Site System Build (ROSSB) process to include the use of the Altherm ICF block as a main element of the superstructure of the building. This approach delivers proven operational efficiencies and streamlines the development process for new home building.

Right throughout the construction programme, we worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure optimised deployment of Altherm products and make sure our client gained maximum benefit from its usage. Safety on-site has always been a priority for Altherm and the use of ICF reduces the load on all site workers as the blocks are much lighter.

Digital planning tools like Revit were also applied at key stages. Working with these solutions is ideal for ICF sites as the resulting dimensions of the building are much more accurate and typically much closer to the Revit modelling output. This means our client can bulk order doors, windows and external plastering materials. It allowed them to plan ahead, optimising budgeting and buying power within their supply chain.

Use of ICF also has many other advantages for the construction crews on site. Mixers, sand, cement, bags of cement, water supply are no longer required so the site is much cleaner. And on this project, like all other ICF sites, the project was able to move to first fix – carpentry, mechanical, and electrical very quickly, speeding up the finishing process of each unit.