Innovation Square Apartments is a multi-award-winning social housing development in Tallaght proudly delivered by JJ Rhatigan & Company.
This exceptional project has been recognized with several industry awards, including Housing Project of the Year (Large) at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2025 and Residential Social & Affordable Over €25m at the Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards 2026. It was also a finalist in the respective MMC Project of the Year and Multi-Unit Residential Project of the Year categories at the Irish Construction Industry Awards 2025 and Irish Building & Design Awards 2025.
These accolades reflect the high standard delivered not only in architectural design, but in build, quality, energy performance and innovation in delivery approach.
Innovation Square Apartments is a high-quality, 133-unit affordable housing development delivered by JJ Rhatigan & Company in collaboration with Coady Architects in the heart of Tallaght, Dublin 24 as part of South Dublin County Council’s urban regeneration strategy. Completed 14 weeks ahead of programme and within budget expectations, the project demonstrates how Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and strong stakeholder collaboration can transform the speed, quality and sustainability of public housing delivery in Ireland.
The development incorporates advanced precast systems, modular bathroom pods and lightweight cassette balconies to deliver exceptional architectural consistency and safety performance. As one of the first residential schemes in Ireland to connect to a large-scale district heating network, it significantly reduces operational carbon and lowers energy costs for residents, achieving a BER A2 rating. Innovation Square provides dignified homes, enhanced public realm and improved mobility links, contributing lasting social value. It sets a replicable benchmark for excellence in affordable residential design, placemaking and low-carbon delivery.
The development consists of three studio apartments, 64 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments and three three-bedroom apartments delivered in three blocks, ranging from three to eight storeys together with community space and high-quality communal and public open space.
The central location is ideal for the rental market with proximity to major employment, retail and education centers as well as excellent transport links and amenities, including the soon to be completed Work IQ Innovation Centre.
“Innovation Square Apartments is a landmark project which was successful in every respect,” JJ Rhatigan & Company Contracts Director Eamonn Hassett enthuses. The project is a credit to all members of the JJ Rhatigan project team including Ger Condon – Commercial Director.
“It was completed almost four months ahead of schedule and exceeded client expectations. The district heating system is very innovative. Ultimately, this project is a demonstration of how well-planned MMC can produce sustainable, durable homes safely and efficiently.
“It also proves that affordable housing can set ambitious standards in delivery timeframes, resident experience, long-term operational value and architectural consistency. As the main contractor, we are proud to have contributed to a project that has genuine community impact and represents a scalable model for the future of housing delivery in Ireland.”
From the outset, JJ Rhatigan & Company’s delivery strategy aligned closely with South Dublin County Council’s core objectives which were: to deliver affordable rental homes quickly and safely; achieve robust building durability and reduced ongoing maintenance cost; ensure compliance with, and where feasible, exceed energy performance and environmental standards; integrate with Tallaght’s emerging district heating network to support climate change; achieve high-quality construction finishes and a positive handover experience; maintain budget discipline throughout procurement and delivery; and adopt modern construction techniques to enhance programme predictability.
The district heating system is a major achievement of the scheme and a first of its scale in Ireland. Excess heat recovered from a nearby data center is redistributed to the Innovation Square Apartments building via a network of pre-insulated steel pipes, enabling a more sustainable model of energy generation and consumption.
The main contractor coordinated the installation of pipework from Cookstown Link Road to the plant room on site, including integration of the heat exchange skid unit and commissioning of Heat Interface Units (HIUs) within every apartment. These future proofs the homes against fossil fuel dependency, stabilizes resident energy costs and reduces operational carbon emissions.
Early delivery accelerated resident move-ins and improved the speed of public-housing supply – a key performance success aligned with national urgency around housing delivery. Health & Safety remained non-negotiable throughout. The reduced working at height achieved through MMC adoption significantly lowered risk exposure. Permanent stair installations, enhanced access management and structured lifting plans supported safe and orderly progress. The project concluded with zero major incidents, reinforcing the strength of planning and operational control on-site.
Construction commenced following an extensive design coordination process focused on maximizing the benefits of MMC. Precast wide slabs, structural screeds and architectural façade panels allowed for rapid progress and consistent quality control. Bathroom pods and mechanically prefabricated riser and plant assemblies further reduced on-site labour intensity and shortened installation durations.
Groundworks and substructure included piled foundations, ground beams and reinforced concrete slabs. Structural walls and columns were also cast in situ at the lower levels to accommodate larger transfer requirements before switching to precast systems above the first floor. The hybrid structural approach ensured stability while enabling speed and repeatability mid-programme.
Continuous collaboration between structural design teams and Rhatigan’s technical delivery team ensured alignment of tolerances, crane access and safe sequencing strategies which are critical on such a tight footprint.
A significant innovation in construction logistics was integrating the second tower crane base into the attenuation tank structure – an engineering decision that unlocked full site coverage for both cranes without requiring additional ground space. This enabled simultaneous construction of multiple blocks, supported by strategically planned just-in-time deliveries that maintained clean circulation and safe access throughout the build.
The challenges faced at Innovation Square did not hinder progress; they drove innovation. Each obstacle prompted smarter engineering solutions, deeper collaboration with all stakeholders and new delivery methods that will directly benefit future public housing schemes. The lessons learned have already been incorporated into subsequent project planning and delivery frameworks.
Proud to be recognised by Deloitte as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies, JJ Rhatigan & Company is a Tier 1 main contractor that has been at the forefront of the construction industry for over 65 years. Combining speed and quality across a diverse range of capabilities, the company delivers high-quality, sustainable results, building for a better future in Ireland and the UK.
Headquartered in Galway, JJ Rhatigan also has offices in Dublin, Cork, Sligo and London. The recent opening of the London HQ reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the UK construction market and its ambition to consistently deliver successful projects on both sides of the Irish Sea.
JJ Rhatigan & Company
Head Office
Wolfe Tone House,
Fr Griffin Road,
Galway,
H91 PW72.
Telephone: +353 (0)91 580 800
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.jjrhatigan.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, October 2026, Vol 12 No 11
featured, JJ Rhatigan & Company
