Arcadia, Athlone

Social Housing Development of 33 Units at Arcadia, Athlone, Co. Westmeath for Westmeath County Council.



The houses are all built to a very high standard of finish. This includes high levels of insulation, underfloor heating on the ground floor and an air-to-water heating system. The system eliminates the use of fossil fuels. The main benefit of air-to-water technology to a homeowner is very high efficiency resulting in low heating costs.

All homes incorporate level access with wider front doors, a ground floor wet-room, wider corridors, the elimination of radiators on the ground floor to facilitate easier access, and wider internal doors.

Each of the two-storey units have side passages to the rear gardens to allow access for bins and bicycles and all houses have steel sheds in the rear gardens.

There are four two-bedroom single storey units within the scheme which are designed for older people or people with a specific need for universal access. These are designed for assisted living including fully fitted and tiled sanitary facilities and accessible showers.