Northland Road 3

Heron Bros’ Northland Road 3 project marked a significant milestone as the first building on the island of Ireland to incorporate Dekton, an innovative, ultracompact material into its rainscreen façade. This £9 million Grade A office development in Derry/Londonderry showcased innovation at every stage, from construction techniques to supply chain collaboration.

Central to the project’s success was the partnership with Kingspan Fabrik to develop the first off-site integral granite faced Glass Reinforced Concrete (GRC) wall and window panel system. This pioneering solution enhanced design quality, durability, and cost efficiency while significantly reducing build times. As the third phase of a £25 million Design & Build Office Development Framework, the project benefited from collaborative working and cutting edge design that delivered bespoke solutions tailored to client needs.

Heron Bros applied best practice principles and lessons learned from previous phases of the framework, including stakeholder feedback, to elevate both the quality of accommodation and the efficiency of delivery. These insights helped optimise construction periods and raise the overall standard of the build.

The construction itself comprised a five storey, 6,000m² office building supported by piled foundations and a robust structural steel frame. Composite concrete flooring and perimeter strip curtain walling allowed for exemplary daylight levels, reducing energy demands throughout the building. The innovative use of Dekton in the rainscreen façade and the granite faced GRC panels reduced construction time by 25%. Inside, a large glazed atrium floods the central core with natural light, complemented by a mix of suspended and metal framed ceilings. The project also included associated car parking and landscaping, creating a well rounded, sustainable workspace that sets a new benchmark for office development in the region.