RIAI publishes New Housing 3 – an important resource for housing delivery in Ireland

The RIAI, with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has published New Housing 3, an important resource for all involved in housing delivery in Ireland, from housing bodies, local authorities and developers to architects and policymakers.

The 564-page publication features 100 housing projects across the broad spectrum of housing design and delivery in Ireland – from large-scale housing projects in new urban quarters to smaller infill projects, drawn from both the public and private sector. Each scheme describes site and design strategies and unit types at comparable scales, accompanied by a data bar that facilitates analysis of development plan standards.

New Housing 3 builds on previous RIAI housing publications, presenting a wide range of high-quality housing projects that demonstrate how good design can contribute to better homes and stronger communities. It highlights the role of architects in housing delivery and provides real-world examples of successful projects at different scales, and at various stages of design and completion.

Sharing housing solutions from all regions of Ireland, the book also reflects the diverse challenges and opportunities that exist across the country. Essays by experts in the provision of housing and sustainable settlements add depth to the understanding of the challenges ahead and their resolutions.

Commenting on the publication, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD said:

The housing projects featured in the publication demonstrate how vital innovative thinking and collaboration are for delivering lasting, quality designed housing solutions for this country. Local authorities, housing bodies, policymakers, developers and architects working together to create sustainable and affordable homes in every community.

 I am committed to delivering on this Government’s new housing plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, which aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Architectural expertise will be crucial to achieving this - designing inclusive, accessible homes supported by thriving communities and the right infrastructure nationwide.

It is only by examining and learning from these real-world examples, and the challenges and opportunities faced by the projects in New Housing 3, that we will achieve our goal of ensuring that will that everyone has access to the right home in the right place.

RIAI President Sean Mahon said:

At a time when the demand for affordable housing continues to be at the forefront of our society, this publication provides real examples of well-designed homes in sustainable communities that will support people now and into the future. It demonstrates how architects bring the design and problem-solving expertise needed to deliver housing that is efficient, sustainable and built to last. Design quality with a focus on the whole built environment and life-cycle cost must be central to delivery if Ireland is to create truly liveable communities.

We would like to thank all the practices and authors who have generously contributed their work and knowledge. New Housing 3 forms part of the RIAI’s work to share the body of knowledge within the architectural professions to members of society, policy makers and stakeholders in the form of research and publications.