RIAI SEAI One Stop Shop Pathways Guidance

The RIAI SEAI One Stop Shop Pathways Guidance document was launched at the RIAI Conference 2025. 

Improving energy efficiency in the existing building stock is critical to meeting Ireland's ambitious targets in order to reduce green-house emissions and apply climate change mitigation measures whilst utilising government's supports in the most efficient manner.

Developed through joint consultation between the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), this guidance draws on the expertise of practitioners, industry bodies, and government partners through a collaborative and consultative process.  

This One Stop Shop Pathways - Guidance Document represents an important step in aligning architectural practice, technical delivery, and policy objectives. It provides a structured framework for architects, engineers, building surveyors, clients, and registered One Stop Shops (OSSs) to collaborate efficiently, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest standards of design, quality and compliance. 

The pathways follow the full service RIAI Work Stages 1-4 as set out in the standard form RIAI Client Architect Agreement for Domestic Work where: 

Pathway 1 = One Stop Shop as Main Contractor and; 

Pathway 2 = One Stop Shop as a Nominated Subcontractor 

The document begins by outlining the issues identified in the One Stop Shop (OSS) process, and proposes a simplified pathway for relevant construction projects, both as standalone energy upgrade / retrofit projects and when a OSS energy upgrade / retrofit is combined with a renovation or extension project. It also provides an overview of the OSS programme, including responsibilities and registration requirements. Useful links to relevant documentation and standards have also been included at the end of the document for ease of reference. 

About One Stop Shops 

Participating registered One Stop Shops offer homeowners services required for a complete home energy upgrade. These registered private operators may manage the entire process from the initial assessment of the home, through to the final BER. 

RIAI Town and Village Toolkit

Towns and villages across Ireland have been integral to Irish economic and cultural life for centuries. They can also be great places to live and work for modern lifestyles. This free online resource, developped by the RIAI, with support from the Government Policy on Architecture, supports those involved in Irish towns and villages.

The RIAI Town and Village Toolkit provides practical advice, references and successful case studies of places that have with architectural and urban design expertise positively overcome challenges. Case studies include Clonakilty, Cloughjordan, Westport, Tuppercurry and Waterford’s Viking Triangle.

Working with an Architect

Whether you are planning to build your dream home or are extending and renovating your existing house, a Registered Architect has the qualifcations, vision and experience to take you expertly through your building project.

An Architect does a lot more than just provide you with a design; they will help you set a viable brief and budget, guide you through the planning process, obtain quotes for the work, manage consultants such as surveyors and engineers, monitor the budget, and administer the construction contract.

An Architect can also save you money on a project, as they will research viable alternatives and solutions to suit your budget.

This free guide will take you through the process.

Old House New Home

To support the owners of older residences, including historic houses and protected structures, the RIAI, with funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht and Creative Ireland, has published this online guide to conservation and renovation.

Old House New Home offers guidance and advice on repairing and reusing historic buildings. It explains how to understand your home, conserve period features and reimagine it for contemporary living, while maintaining the character and craftsmanship that come with historic properties. The guide includes a wealth of case study projects representing different sizes, conditions, characteristics and locations – from homes in urban and suburban settings to the adaptation of farmhouse complex, their yards and outbuildings.