Cairn PLC were delighted to have been awarded the Excellence in Planning Award at the 2019 KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards for Oak Park, Naas.
It was the second time in three years Cairn PLC have won the award, having scooped the accolade two years ago for Marianella, Rathgar.
Now, in its fifth year, The KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards programme is designed to independently recognise the highest standards of professionalism and excellence across the entire property sector. It is endorsed by all professional bodies and representative groups.
Commenting on the win, Michael Stanley, CEO of Cairn PLC said: “We are extremely proud of the work of our entire team, especially the Planning Department who have worked so hard and are so deserving of this accolade”.
Planning Design Managers John Grace and Aidan McLernon head up the aforementioned Planning Department that was responsible for the latest addition to Cairn’s ever burgeoning awards roll of honour.
A development of two, three and four-bedroom family homes conveniently located beside Naas, Co Kildare, Oak Park offers impressive vistas over the surrounding Kildare countryside and provides that rare mixture of convenience and space.
Oak Park sets the standards in energy efficiency, design detailing, natural landscaping and customer care – providing piece of mind to anyone contemplating buying a new home.
“It’s our second time to win the award while we were also nominated in the category last year,” John Grace revealed. “It’s a pat on the back to show that we are up there at the cutting edge and underlines the quality of our design and builds. We’re not just about blocks and mortar, we are very much about quality and place making.”
Situated on an elevated point near Naas town, Oak Park certainly ticks those boxes and is an ideal blend of urban and rural. It was carefully located for the convenience of living near amenities but also the unequalled feeling of outdoor space.
“It is a 14-acre site and the forecourt to the development is a seven-acre residents’ park,” John explained. “There is a stream flowing through the site and a little bridge that was concealed but which we were anxious to expose.
“From a planning perspective, we wanted to create a community and a public realm area. We started on site in Q4 2017 and are still on site. It’s 70% completed now and we would expect the development to be fully operational by Q1 2020.”
When it comes to building homes, Cairn Homes believe in action rather than words. Their motto is ‘Designed for living, built for life’, and they put this into practice in all their developments.
From the planning stage right through to the interior design, they see the big picture and pay attention to the details. An integrated approach to building means a better quality of life for their customers.
Every detail of their customers’ new homes has been designed with how they live in it. They put everyday life at the centre of their decision making. It’s design thinking that is rooted in empathy.
When master planning a site, the Cairn planning team, which comprises of six in total, will ensure that the inherent advantages of a particular site are considered. Views, proximity to services and good orientation all factor into their design thinking.
“To be able to embrace a public park of that scale into our design and for the people to have that entrance to their homes and views of the Kildare countryside is very special,” Aidan McLernon remarked.
“We were delighted to receive the accolade and it’s nice recognition to receive. It’s very much a team effort here at Cairn and the planning team is only one cog in a large wheel. There was a lot of people and departments who had an input into this development. We take great pride in our designs.”
John Grace added: “Naas is very competitive when it comes to residential developments. We needed to create something that would give us a competitive edge, something different to what was on offer elsewhere. At end of the day, people have to live in a home and that is very important to us.”
Oak Park has been created with commuting and modern living in mind. Situated close to the Naas bypass and M7 motorway, providing easy access to Dublin and the M50, with Cork, Waterford and Limerick via the M8 and M9.
The development’s convenience doesn’t end there with a handy train route between Sallins and Dublin. However you choose to travel, Oak Park gives you the benefit to come and go and adventure and explore as you please.
Cairn Homes are always setting new standards. Not only in their construction processes and use of innovative technology but in everything from the way they work, to welcoming environments to their on-site management and after care services.
Their team of experts are your team of experts and they will do everything to deliver you the highest standards of design, construction, finishing and completion.
The KPMG Irish Independent Property Industry Excellence Awards winners set the benchmark for professionalism and showcase the best that industry stakeholders have to offer.
Cairn Homes’ Oak Park development stands as a beacon for excellence in that regard.
Cairn Homes
7 Grand Canal
Grand Canal Street Lower
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 696 4600
Web: www.cairnhomes.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February/March 2020, Vol 6 No 1
