Roscrea one of only four Irish towns for social housing design competition

ROSCREA has been selected to be one of only four sites in Ireland to benefit from a new idea to create a solution to the housing crisis.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and the President of The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Charlotte Sheridan, launched the 'Town Centre Living’ Architectural Design Competitions for the design of four social housing schemes across Ireland, with one competition for a town centre site in Roscrea.

The competitions aim to encourage innovative design for social housing within town centres and progress the Government’s Town Centre First policy’s objectives of compact growth and town-centre revitalisation. The competitions also seek to encourage more architectural firms to compete for social housing design projects.

Following an open invitation to, and close liaison with local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has selected four town-centre sites across the country that will each have a separate social housing design competition. All four competitions will run concurrently.

The winning architectural practice for each competition will, in addition to prize money, be awarded the design commission for the project. The winning proposal for Roscrea will be progressed by Tipperary County Council as a live project funded by DHLGH, through to construction and delivery.

The competitions will promote high-quality social housing design in Roscrea and support the Government’s Town Centre First approach. Architectural practices across the country will be encouraged to compete and submit exciting new ideas for the design of social housing in Roscrea.

President of The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Charlotte Sheridan, said: “The RIAI are pleased to be working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to deliver the Town Centre Living Competitions with four town-centre sites to be developed around the country.

“We know that competitions are excellent for fostering innovation and identifying real-world solutions which can deliver tangible change. Architectural competitions are a demonstration of the profession’s commitment to innovation and are assessed on design quality.

“Ireland’s new National Policy on Architecture, Places for People, further highlights the important role that Architectural Design Competitions play in setting a quality agenda for our built environment.

“When developed, these four sites will provide quality homes close to amenities and services, thereby also contributing to sustainable living and climate action change.”

Town Centre First

In February 2022, the Government launched Town Centre First, a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into town centres.

Roscrea is the first town in Tipperary to roll out the new system, which will be guided by a Town First Masterplan. An officer from the local authority has been appointed who will work closely with a community team.

The policy is underpinned by multi-billion euro investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The policy contains 33 unique actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business. Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030, committed to publishing the policy.

The winners of the competitions are expected to be announced during Quarter 2 2023.

The Jury for the Town Centre Living Competitions in Roscrea are Orla Murphy MRIAI (Chair), John Martin FRIAI Architect Advisor DHLGH and Liam Ryan MRIAI Senior Executive Architect Tipperary County Council.