Rose Construction Ltd was delighted to be a finalist in two categories at the 2024 Fit Out Awards – Fit Out Contractor of the Year and Fit Out Project Manager of the Year.
Kevin Reddy, who fronts the leading Cork-based building and civil engineering firm along with his brother Simon, was shortlisted for Project of Manager of the Year for the Woodland Suite Experience at The Montenotte Hotel. Kevin coordinated the project which entailed the design and construction of the prestigious urban resort in Cork. The development included nine luxury suites – five Woodland Suites and four River Suites – alongside an exclusive residents-only Clubhouse.
The contract value was approximately €7.5 million and covered a significant area within the resort’s grounds, set within a landscape of high ecological value.
Presented at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin on Wednesday, November 27, the Fit Out Awards celebrated excellence in the execution of world-class fit outs as well as the people and clients who drive these projects. The awards offer a great opportunity for companies from all over Ireland to come together, collaborate and showcase their work.
“It’s our first time to enter the Fit Out Awards and we were thrilled with the two nominations,” says Kevin, who is Rose Construction’s contracts director.
“The Woodland Suite Experience was a unique project of nine luxury five-star elevated suites designed to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape and also offering panoramic views of Cork City. Logistically, it was very challenging, but all obstacles were successfully overcome thanks to the excellent working relationship we enjoyed with all stakeholders, including The Montenotte Hotel itself. It was a real team effort.”
The project team consisted of client Montenotte Hotel, architects Henry J Lyons, interior designer Róisín Lafferty, landscape architect Forestbird Design, C&S engineers Horgan Lyons & MMOS, project managers / cost consultant Tom McNamara and Partners, M&E engineers Horizon Engineering, client representative Leisure Information Services, fire consultant CK Fire, assess consultant OHAC, PSDP / assigned certifier ORS and main contractor Rose Construction. The project also saw Henry J Lyons and Róisín Lafferty shortlisted for Fit Out of the Year Awards in the Excellence in Design and Hospitality categories.
Work on The Woodland Suite Experience commenced in December 2019, with planning permission granted in 2022. Construction on site began in August 2023 and was completed by July 2024.
From the outset, the project was guided by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and the health and wellbeing of its guests. The suites were designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural landscape, employing elevated structures to minimise ecological disruption. The use of sustainable materials, such as charred timber cladding and living sedum roofs, further underscored the project’s environmental ethos. Additionally, the design focused on promoting a sense of wellbeing, with extensive use of natural light, panoramic views and natural materials to create tranquil and restorative spaces for guests.
The concept for The Woodland Suite Experience was inspired by the unique character of the site. The design team’s aim was to craft a design that not only celebrated the surrounding landscape, but also harmonised with it. The design process began with comprehensive site surveys, including topographical, ecological and tree surveys, to identify key features and constraints. These surveys were instrumental in determining the precise locations for each suite, ensuring minimal impact on the existing landscape.
The suites were designed to be elevated on stilts, allowing the natural terrain to flow uninterrupted beneath the structures. This approach not only minimised the ecological footprint, but also created an immersive experience for guests, directing their gaze outward to the surrounding woodlands and beyond. The choice of materials, including charred timber cladding, was deliberately made to enhance the natural integration of the architecture with the landscape, ensuring that the built environment did not detract from the site’s intrinsic beauty.
The primary challenge of the project was the site itself. Situated on a steeply sloped area of the hotel grounds, with a portion nestled within a woodland, the location presented significant obstacles in terms of construction logistics. Delivering materials and manoeuvring construction machinery in such a challenging environment required careful planning and collaboration with the contracting team.
To address these challenges, the team opted for an on-site build method rather than modular construction. This decision was made to ensure that the construction process would be as minimally disruptive as possible to the natural surroundings. Through close coordination with contractors and a meticulous approach to construction planning, they were able to protect the integrity of the site while meeting the project’s deadlines and delivering a high-quality outcome.
Collaboration was deeply embedded in the success of The Montenotte Woodland Suites. The project’s complexity required a high degree of creativity and flexibility from all team members, particularly during the detailed design and construction stages. This was achieved through a series of workshops and iterative design processes, where team members actively contributed ideas and solutions, demonstrating a strong collaborative spirit.
Innovation was central to the project too, both in design and execution. One of the key innovations was the use of elevated structures to minimise the ecological impact on the site’s steep and sensitive terrain. Furthermore, the integration of living sedum roofs on the River Suites was a significant innovation, blending the architecture seamlessly with the environment and promoting biodiversity. The project also introduced the “Nights-for-Nature” initiative in collaboration with the Irish charity Hometree, linking each guest’s stay to a tree planting effort, thereby enhancing the project’s environmental credentials.
The project’s success is evident in the final product, which has been well-received by both the client and the public. The suites have enhanced The Montenotte’s reputation as a leading luxury destination in Ireland, setting a new standard for eco-conscious design in hospitality.
Established in 1982 by Kevin and Simon’s father Kevin Snr, Rose Construction has earned an enviable reputation for quality construction across a range of sectors, including commercial, residential, hospitality, education, healthcare, heritage and fitout. The second-generation company has grown to employ almost 50 people and many more on a subcontract basis. DHP Mechanical, Deluxe Bathrooms & Tiling Solutions, DFL Joinery, 2020 Glazing and Corell Architectural Timber Cladding were just some of the subcontractors / suppliers who contributed to The Woodland Suite Experience project.
“We’re very busy with a host of projects in the Cork area,” Kevin explains.
“Among our current projects are the new Fork & Wheel Pub and Restaurant in Midleton, Dino’s new drive-thru and restaurant in Midleton, the Elm Tree restaurant in Cork, NRG Awareness’ new European HQ in Glanmire as well as a number of high-end one-off private houses.
“We have a tagline here and that is ‘Quality keeps us employed’, and when you look at it, we have a lot of clients that have stayed loyal to us down through the years. Repeat business is a big part of what we do and I don’t think you get that without quality in every project you complete.”
A member of CIF, The Master Builders & Contractors Association and The Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Rose Construction would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, suppliers and design teams for their continued support as well as its top-class team of employees and subcontractors for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Rose Construction Ltd
Unit 7A Riverview Estate,
Ballyvolane,
Cork,
T23 RR04.
Telephone: 021 450 2586
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, February, Vol 11 No 2
