The Irish Architecture Foundation and The Housing Agency are running an open call that is looking for innovative ideas to improve Ireland’s housing sector: Housing Unlocked. We are calling for architects, together with collaborators from a variety of disciplines and members of the public with a common interest in housing, to team up and submit bold ideas that address housing challenges in Ireland’s cities, towns and villages.

Delivering housing in an affordable, sustainable way that enhances our cities, towns, villages, and communities is a complex task. Housing Unlocked is an opportunity to question the housing status quo and propose new ways of doing things to make our communities happier, healthier places to live. We are seeking practical ideas and creative thinking about challenges such as density, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, vacancy, finance, and alternative housing models. 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.

While each team must include one member with a qualification in architecture, we hope to see a range of perspectives and expertise represented in submissions, to reflect both the multifaceted nature of the housing system and the diversity of the population.

A jury of high-profile judges will select around eight submissions which will receive funding of €7,500 each to develop their proposals into an exhibition piece that demonstrates the potential positive impact of their idea being implemented. The exhibition will open to the public in September this year and run through Open House Dublin, with a programme of public engagement activities.

All submissions must be made through an online form on the Housing Unlocked website, where further information is available. We strongly encourage all potential entrants to carefully read the information and guidance on the Housing Unlocked website before developing and submitting proposals.

The call is open for submissions until 24 April (midnight).

Photo by Lafayette, courtesy of The Housing Agency.