The Hometown Architect initiative brings together community groups and an architect with a local connection to engage with residents to enhance the shared built environment for all.

The two Reimagine Cafés taking place in August provide opportunities to hear more about the development of the five Hometown Architect projects underway in 2023.

Tuesday 15 August, 1-2pm (online)

Register for the Café on 15 August.

Curator Kate Strain and architect Jenny O’Leary will present their project “Suppose a Stone”, which is undertaking an all-ages, interspecies accessibility study of the town of Aughrim, County Wicklow.

We will also hear from Fionn Kidney about Reimagine Lisdoonvarna, which aims to create a viable vision for the future of the Spa Town in County Clare.

Tuesday 22 August, 1-2pm (online)

Register for the Café on 22 August.

Architect Mark Ruddy will talk about Reimagine Belmullet, a whole-community vision for the sustainable development of the historic planned market town in County Mayo.

The Reimagine Tipperary project, which is tackling vacancy, will be presented by Michael Begley.

And finally we will hear from architect Helena McElmeel about the project that is engaging with the community of Tuam, County Galway to address the issue of vacancy in the town.

If you have a project, challenge, or idea you would like to share during these Cafés, please email reimagine@architecturefoundation.ie before 11 August.

Hometown Architect is part of the Irish Architecture Foundation’s Reimagine programme, which aims to connect communities with architects to co-design and improve their local built environment.

This initiative is funded by the Arts Council and Department of Rural and Community Development, with additional support to the Irish Architecture Foundation from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. Hometown Architect aligns with the national Town Centre First policy, which aims to revitalise towns across Ireland, building and sustaining vibrant town centres where communities can flourish.

Read more about Hometown Architect on the Reimagine website.

Image: Map of Lisdoonvarna town centre by Simone Broglia.