Thursday, 17th February 2022
New competition launched seeking ambitious solutions to help unlock housing issues in Ireland
Irish Architecture Foundation and The Housing Agency calling on people to come together and enter their solutions to housing in cities, towns and villages
The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) and The Housing Agency have today (17.02.22) announced details of a competition that is looking for innovative ideas to improve Ireland’s housing sector. Called ‘Housing Unlocked’, the initiative is calling for architects, together with people from a variety of disciplines and members of the public with a common interest in housing, to team up and submit ideas to solve housing issues in Ireland’s cities, towns and villages.
Entries are open from today, with practical ideas and creative thinking being sought in the areas of density, construction technologies, social inclusion, environmental and other issues. A jury of high-profile judges will select eight submissions which will receive funding of €7,500 to develop their proposals into an exhibition piece. The exhibition will be open to the public in September this year.
Nathalie Weadick, Director of the IAF, said: “The aim of the competition is to encourage collaboration amongst housing experts and those with an interest and passion for creating inclusive communities to develop practical ideas to address challenges in housing. This is an ambitious and positive project asking for those working on the ground on housing to help progress some of the issues facing urban housing in Ireland. Public contributions at recent IAF debates have shown that there has never been a better time for design to rethink how we can deliver homes for sustainable communities in urban areas. ‘Housing Unlocked’ is driven by the need to apply innovation and expertise, not just to the final product, but to the entire system that delivers homes in towns, cities and villages. A simple idea can produce a powerful effect.”
Bob Jordan, CEO of The Housing Agency, said: “The Housing Agency is looking forward to being part of this project. We are seeking innovative and practical solutions that address the housing issues in Ireland. We are asking applicants to share practical solutions to the everyday issues that they are facing when it comes to delivering homes. We would like to invite architects, in collaboration with all those who are interested, to apply for the opportunity to be featured in the public exhibition later in the year.”
All submissions must be made through an online form on the ‘Housing Unlocked’ website at housingunlocked.ie, where further information is available. Entrants must include at least one registered architect. The closing date is midnight on 24th April 2022.
ENDS
Contact: Maisie Lynch / Sorcha McMahon, Alice PR & Events, Tel: 086-8966298 / 087-7585337 / Email: media@alicepr.com
Notes to the Editor:
Images High-res images from the ‘Housing Unlocked’ launch photocall are available to download here.
About The Housing Agency
The Housing Agency is a Government body working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and approved housing bodies in the delivery of housing and housing services.
Its mission is to promote the supply of housing to meet current and future needs and demand by being a centre of expert knowledge on housing, supporting housing policy development and implementing effective housing programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders. For more information visit housingunlocked.ie
Follow The Housing Agency on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About the IAF
Established in 2005, the IAF is an independent organisation dedicated to the promotion of architecture as culture. The IAF seeks to champion the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work and play. For further information on the IAF, visit: architecturefoundation.ie
Follow the IAF on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
