The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has awarded the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing to an exemplary student housing project in Dublin, Highfield Park by DTA Architects.
Highfield Park. Images: Donal Murphy, L, and Marie-Louise Halfpenny, R.
The highest award for a housing project in Ireland, the medal is presented by minister Dara Calleary and RIAI president Fionnuala May FRIAI at the RIAI and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Joint Housing Conference in Sligo.
'Foster a sense of community and shared experiences'
The jury praised the urban quality of the project, its emphasis on place-making and positive contribution to the overall neighbourhood, noting how the integrated public realm treatment and a series of landscaped open spaces foster a sense of community and shared experiences.
Highfield Park. Images: Marie-Louise Halfpenny.
The jury said: “The redevelopment of this valuable backland site presented with multiple challenges and constraints with varied boundary conditions, gradients and access requirements. The current configuration is for dedicated student accommodation; however, the strong urban design principles, variation in unit type, and generosity in the shared open spaces and private open spaces have delivered a strong sense of community, which could evolve to provide general-purpose housing over the lifetime of the building.
"This project is confident and mature - it feels like it has been there for a long time - and that the buildings are an inevitable extension of the University campus. Maybe most importantly, it feels like a real place where real lives can coexist and flourish, demonstrating that outstanding design, with pragmatic details and budget, can add immense value to any context.”
Highfield Park. Images: Marie-Louise Halfpenny.
Dara Calleary, rural and community development minister, said: “Smart architecture strengthens communities by creating inclusive spaces that embrace our natural environment and serve our society.
"By putting community at the heart of housing design we can ensure that new housing developments add long-term value to our neighbourhoods. RIAI Silver Medal winners DTA architects show what can be achieved when community, nature and sustainable living are prioritised during the design process.”
Highfield Park. Image: Marie-Louise Halfpenny.
RIAI president Fionnuala May added: “This redevelopment of a backland site into a student residence is an example of how architects can skilfully unlock such sites for housing, while responding to urban context and making a meaningful contribution to the wider neighbourhood.
"Clever and practical decisions about how best to locate functions and amenities have enhanced the sense of place; study rooms enjoy long views over the city and mountains beyond and centrally-placed communal dining spaces have access to mature gardens. I congratulate DTA Architects on this inspiring housing project that will deliver long-term benefits for the community and the common good. It is a great example of a community first approach.”
Shortlist
Highly Commended
A System for Ordinary Housing – Social Housing Bundle 2, Co. Clare, Cork, Galway and Waterford, by SJK Architects
Images: Kelvin Gilmore.
Jury Citation: “This is a bundle of six social housing schemes in six Irish towns, Macroom, Skibbereen, Clonakilty, Shannon, Ballyburke (Galway) and Slievekeale (Waterford). Own-door houses placed close to the street, modest front garden spaces neatly enclosing bin and bike storage, vernacular gables and corner buildings all contribute towards a safe and truly welcoming living environment, a place where the community is clearly thriving. The concept of proposing a system of principles and details for use across the country is particularly welcome as an ambition for why design matters.”
Highly Commended
Ropemaker Place, Dublin, by Henry J Lyons
Images: Donal Murphy.
Jury citation: “This urban infill project demonstrates confidence and assuredness in design intent, from the site layout to the simplicity and rigour of the elevations, placement of functions within individual apartments, and utilisation of carefully selected materials. The treatment of the public realm and landscape design is integral to the design response, with an exceptional richness and generosity given back to external streets and public spaces, and a calm, collective shared internal courtyard providing a welcoming community space for residents.”
Commended
33 Social Housing Units at Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Jury citation: “An egalitarian and calm cluster of four two-storey terraces arranged around a public green on a sloping site on the edge of Castlecomer. A mix of 4-bed, 3-bed, 2-bed and single-bed houses and own-door apartments is skilfully arranged, planned, and designed to resolve the sloping site, while achieving full universal accessibility without dedicated ramps. The recessed brick entrance porches are beautifully detailed and together with the front soft landscape strip provide identity, privacy and the opportunity for social interaction, community spirit, and pride of place.”
Commended
Annesley Gardens, Dublin, by Metropolitan Workshop
Jury citation: “Within a narrow backland site, edged by terraces of redbrick Victorian townhouses, the architects have very successfully and skilfully navigated the design of 20 townhouses along two terraces. Their front elevations have been carefully and exuberantly detailed using a standard brick to provide interest and delight. Internally, that same level of energy has been brought into developing the section into volumes with double and triple storey spaces providing a high quality of daylight and spaces - a significant achievement in developer-led housing.”