On 24 February, our Senior Built Environment Design Advisor Fíonnadh McGonigle participated in a panel discussion on “Low-rise Medium-density: Opportunities and Challenges” at the RIAI/DHLGH Joint Housing Conference in Sligo.

The panel discussed a range of issues in relation to low-rise medium density housing, including current regulatory requirements for stairs and lift provision. Fíonnadh highlighted a number of important issues related to Universal Design and accessibility. These included:

  • the need for Universal design to be seen as integral to design quality in housing.
  • that the reduction in back-to-back separation distances between homes reduces potential for extensions, therefore increasing the need for future-proofing for adaptations within the footprint of the dwelling.
  • in relation to upper floor duplex apartments, that a home with stairs up to the front door is inherently inaccessible. However, where they are provided, the standard of stairs design has increased importance and recent research from the UK illustrates that stairs design has a significant impact in relation to reducing falls on stairs. 

  • the need for a percentage of Universal Design Homes, including both UD home and UD Home+ to be provided in all new developments.

    Fíonnadh McGonigle and colleagues sitting on the stage at the Housing Conference, there is a woman speaking at the podium and a presentation on a large screen