We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted in two categories in this year’s Irish Construction Excellence Awards, both Residential Project of the Year for Northern Cross, and Construction Project Manager for Alicia Torres Castro.
Northern Cross, project managed by Alicia was a superb affordable home development spanning 26 months in North Dublin, providing much-needed housing whilst remaining sympathetic to the area’s aesthetic and enhancing biodiversity and community life.
Alicia Torres Castro – Shortlisted for Construction Project Manager
Alicia Torres Castro, an experienced Construction Project Manager, has a career marked by a commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and a passion for sustainable and innovative construction practices.
Alicia established the foundation of her career with a Master's degree in Civil & Structural Engineering from Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), Spain. Her academic journey included international exposure through the ERASMUS Program at the University of Stuttgart, Germany and she achieved Chartered Engineer status from the Spanish Institution of Civil Engineers in 2014, later becoming an Affiliations Member and Chartered Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK in 2018. Continuing her educational pursuits, she completed the Masters Speakers Course and earned Diplomas in Project Management from UCD, Dublin, in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Committed to staying current, Alicia underwent ESG training in 2023 and Microsoft Project Training from Olas, exemplifying the importance of continuous learning in the ever-evolving construction industry.
Northern Cross – Shortlisted for Residential Project of the Year
Brady Hill Developments, under Alicia's leadership, embarked on a substantial €41m, 26-month project known as Northern Cross. The project aimed to address the pressing need for turnkey affordable homes in North Dublin, and Alicia's expertise played a pivotal role in its success.
The development featured a total of 191 units, spread across 8 stories, with a diverse mix of 6 studios, 76 one-beds, and 109 two-beds. Sustainability was a key focus, evident through various certifications, including HPI Certification, EU CEN Standards, WELL Certification, ESG Compliance, a minimum A3 BER Rating, and the incorporation of PV Roof Panels.
Collaboration was at the forefront, involving 60 companies and 300 individuals. Alicia implemented comprehensive Project Execution Planning (PEP), a Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Matrix, and robust risk management strategies, ensuring the project progressed seamlessly.
Leading Project Management
Alicia's innovative approach extended to collaboration and communication, incorporating change control mechanisms, ensuring timeliness and transparency, utilising online real-time reporting tools, and employing drone footage for effective progress monitoring.
Safety and quality control were paramount, with strategic planning from the project's inception, stringent design-to-construction control, and adherence to safety regulations.
Critical thinking and innovation were evident throughout the project, with the incorporation of air to water heat pump technology, in-situ contract walls with pre-cast floor slabs, pre-cast balconies, a double-level basement, and adaptability to changes in British Standards mid-construction.
Alicia's leadership in the Northern Cross has not only earned herself recognition, but also the development, both being shortlisted for this year’s ICE awards. We’re grateful for this opportunity to share this remarkable project, and our teams' skills as part of the ICE awards and look forward to the results on 24th May 2024.
