180–187 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 with structural design by DBFL Consulting Engineers represents a significant renewal of a long-vacant early 20th-century housing block. Originally constructed in 1909 as one of Dublin Corporation’s first social housing schemes, the masonry building had fallen into severe disrepair before this transformation into 20 modern one-bedroom apartments addressing homelessness. 

The project combines minimal intervention with maximum retention of the original fabric. It includes repair of clinker concrete floors, conservation of brick façades and sensitive timber roof restoration. New steel terrace walkways, box frames and a reinforced concrete core were carefully integrated within a constrained city-centre site. 

The project is commended for its sustainable re-use ethos, rigorous investigative approach and inventive structural solutions that safeguard heritage while delivering value.