Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

The Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge (HSAUDC) 2017 was a call for ideas to improve the quality of life for older people in Ireland. Based on a Universal Design approach, the ideas will help create communities and homes that are purpose-built for lifetime living. By promoting ideas that demonstrate innovation in design, the HSAUDC hoped not only to improve the quality of life for older persons, but ultimately for everyone.

The Challenge was overseen by the Department of Housing in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design which coordinated the design and delivery of the HSAUDC.  An initiative under the Rebuilding Ireland programme (Action 2.19), the challenge aimed to stimulate and encourage the design and construction industries to be innovative in designing and delivering housing solutions for older people.

Read more about the Challenge on the Rebuilding Ireland website.

The Abhaile Project

The winner of the Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge was announced on 28th June 2017 by Mr Damien English T.D., Minister for Housing and Urban Development, during an award ceremony at Dublin Castle. The winner, who received €50,000, was The Abhaile Project.

The Abhaile Project developed an innovative new model to support older homeowners to reconfigure their family-sized homes by creating an independent living area suitable for the older homeowner, eliminating the need to use the stairs; and creating an affordable one‐bedroomed rental accommodation upstairs. Using a Universal Design approach, this promotes an efficient way to use our existing housing stock by carving much needed new one‐bedroomed rental capacity from existing housing stock in mature urban areas, allowing the homeowner to live securely and independently downstairs, whilst promoting interaction with the person living upstairs, thereby reducing isolation. The Abhaile Project team comprises: Michelle Moore, Founder: Dermot Bannon, Architect; Ciaran Ferrie, Architect.

The Abhaile Video

Homes for Smart Ageing - the Story of the Universal Design Challenge

"Homes for Smart Ageing - the Story of the Universal Design Challenge" documents the Abhaile project as well as the four commended entries that were recognised in their own right at the award ceremony in June 2017.

The launch of the Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge (HSAUDC) 2017 legacy book took place in Farmleigh on Tuesday the 20th November 2018

Pictured above at the launch were from left to right:  Dr Gerald Craddock, Minister Damien English, Ms Helen Guinan, Minister Jim Daly, Mr Vincent Brown and Mr Neil Murphy MRIAI

Commended Entries

IRU.M.M.

Cairdeas

Multi-Generational Adaptable Homes

UrbanAge - Housing/Urbanism Synergies for Smart Ageing

Found out more from the Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge