Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge

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

The winning entry 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.

For more information please go to Rebuilding Ireland Homes for Smart Ageing