County Council Civic Offices, Monaghan, Ireland

A new building for Monaghan County Council’s civic offices is being planned to optimize and consolidate citizen services, reduce operating costs, and significantly lower the local authority's energy consumption.
The new building will be located at Rooskey Lands in Monaghan Town, extending across three stepped floors designed to adapt to the sloped terrain. It will include an entrance foyer, office spaces, meeting rooms, a staff canteen, a Council Chamber, customer service desks, welfare facilities, and landscaped courtyards. Additionally, plans include the creation of a new access road, enhanced pedestrian and cycling paths, and parking facilities.
Transsolar has developed a climate and energy concept in which façade design plays a crucial role. In collaboration with the Henry J. Lyons team, a fixed shading system was created, comprising a perforated mesh aligned parallel to the façade and vertical fins positioned perpendicular to it. This system protects the building from rain and strong winds, reduces cold draughts, and shields it from excessive solar radiation. It provides a balanced approach by mitigating glare and reducing solar heat gain during summer while encouraging passive solar heating during colder months.
The perforations in the shading allow natural light and fresh air into the building. In areas where perforated mesh was not essential, fritted glass panels were used instead. The color and density of the fritting were carefully selected to ensure consistent solar protection and a uniform appearance across the façades. To complement this, high-performance glass was chosen for the external façades, including those facing courtyards. This glass enhances thermal comfort, significantly reduces energy consumption, minimizes condensation and noise, and provides high levels of light transmission.
The building is naturally ventilated through a façade configuration engineered by Transsolar, eliminating the need for mechanical systems. Upper windows are automated and controlled by a building management system (BMS), facilitating night cooling and fresh air intake based on CO₂ levels. Lower windows are manually operated, enabling flexible single-sided and cross ventilation year-round.
Individually controlled radiators are strategically positioned along the façades to reduce thermal bridging at glazed areas, minimizing drafts and heat loss. These radiators can also provide cooling if needed, offering adaptability to future climate extremes. For larger public spaces, radiant flooring will supply heating and meet additional cooling requirements.
Heating and cooling for the building are provided by an air-source heat pump system, which operates without combustion, ensuring a future-proof solution. Additionally, the building is equipped with a photovoltaic system on the roof, supplying renewable energy.