Glass Bottle, Dublin

Project Summary

EPG was appointed by Verdé to support ground gas risk assessment and protection design across multiple phases of development at Glass Bottle.

The Glass Bottle development will be a place to live and work, connecting neighbouring communities. The site, located in Dublin Bay, is a large brownfield area historically used for landfill in the 1950s–60s before being developed as a glass bottle manufacturing facility until the late 1980s.  The land had been derelict for years before being earmarked for redevelopment. In 2016, the site was designated as a Special Development Zone paving the way for the major mixed-use, residential-led masterplan. Lioncor was appointed as the developer of the project, and SISK the main contractor for the first phases.

Given the site’s history and the intended sensitive residential use, EPG conducted detailed risk assessments based on continuous gas monitoring and developed cost-effective, compliant gas protection strategies. The project is an example of sustainable urban regeneration, transforming contaminated land into new housing and community infrastructure while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Utilising continuous monitoring data EPG provided a ground gas risk assessment for the development. The data was used to determine classification of the site as CS2, which is defined as low risk and therefore a positive result for a former landfill site.

The project is divided into multiple phases, with construction at Phase 1 and Phase 1B currently ongoing. The first building in Phase 1 is being handed over in September 2025.

Challenges

• Developing a high-rise, residential-led scheme on a historic landfill site with elevated ground gas concentrations
• Balancing the need for protection with cost-effective and buildable solutions
• Coordinating with a wide range of stakeholders including the developer (Lioncor), contractor (SISK), architects, structural engineers, and product suppliers (JUTA, Rascor)
• Frequent design changes requiring quick turnaround and adaptive technical support
• Ensuring compatibility between gas protection and radon protection (a local regulatory requirement in Dublin)

Solution

EPG specified a programme of continuous ground gas monitoring to assess real-time concentration and flux rates. Despite high methane levels (~40%), the data demonstrated low gas flow, leading to a CS2 risk classification under BS8485 guidance – requiring protection but indicating low overall risk.

EPG provided detailed design advice to guide integration of gas protection systems with the development’s complex substructure, including basement levels and watertight construction. While not formally the designer, EPG reviewed drawings, advised on protection compatibility with Rascor concrete systems and JUTA membranes, and helped align protection with both landfill gas and radon risks.

The team remained highly responsive throughout, reviewing updated drawings and resolving construction issues as they arose. EPG also supported planning applications for temporary “meanwhile” uses involving shipping container units, advising on safe, ventilated installation on the contaminated site.

Results

• Accurate CS2 risk classification prevented unnecessary overdesign and saved client costs
• Seamless integration of gas protection with watertight concrete and radon mitigation
• Multiple risk assessments delivered so far across four of eight total phases of development
• Continuous involvement through design review and construction support ensuring compliance and adaptability
• Site inspections and rapid technical feedback enabled construction progress without delays
• Supported reuse of underutilised brownfield land for a significant residential-led mixed use development contributing to local regeneration.

The development is still ongoing, with eight phases in total due to take place.  Risk assessment reports and specific design advice for Phase 2, Phase 3 and Phase A Commercial have been provided, and EPG will continue to be involved for future phases.

The regeneration of brownfield land will create opportunities for people in the surrounding towns with the potential of over 10,000 jobs being created.  Green public spaces, sports and educational facilities are to be built enhancing people’s daily lives.

The team understood what mitigation was required and were able to provide a cost effective solution for the client, avoiding unnecessary work and keeping all residents safe from ground gases for the future.

Attribution:

• Client: Verdé Environmental Consultants
• Developer: Lioncor
• Contractor: SISK
• Design Coordination: Lafferty Project Management
• Membrane Supplier: JUTA
• Watertight Concrete and Installer: Rascor