Housing with Support Inchicore

2017, Dublin, Ireland

The requirement was for a “new prototype for the provision of housing for older people, that would act as an exemplar for others to follow.” We researched historic building types that provided particular care and shelter to people in urban areas, in particular, alms houses and early hospital prototypes such as Kilmainham Hospital Dublin.

A courtyard prototype was adapted to this particular site to deal with significant site restrictions. Ground floor communal facilities were placed around the main entrance approached from a small court formed with the housing scheme adjacent. Apartments were arranged around a two storey galleried courtyard. On the one hand the courtyard provided a sense of calm and protection within the surrounding urban condition, on the other it promoted a sense of community and collective promoting daily contact between the residents.