Ireland is navigating a significant housing crisis, defined by a persistent imbalance between supply and demand. In response, national policy has correctly identified the need for more compact and sustainable urban growth. Mid-rise, high-density (MRHD) apartment developments, typically ranging from three to eight storeys, represent a key strategic solution to this challenge.

As housing architects in Ireland, we believe that delivering successful high-density communities is fundamentally linked to the quality of architectural and urban design. The right design approach can create sustainable, liveable, and desirable homes that align with national policy and address viability challenges. This article explores the evolving policy landscape and outlines how a design-led strategy is essential to delivering the high-quality housing Ireland needs.

The New Policy Landscape: Enabling Compact Growth

Recent government guidelines are creating a more favourable environment for MRHD projects. A coherent policy framework is essential, and recent publications represent a significant evolution towards facilitating higher densities in our urban settlements.

The "Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines for Planning Authorities" (2024) is a cornerstone of this new approach. These guidelines introduce critical changes through Specific Planning Policy Requirements (SPPRs) that directly address issues that have historically hindered apartment development. Key changes include:

Reduced Separation Distances: The minimum distance between opposing windows is now reduced from 22 metres to 16 metres, which allows for more compact and efficient site layouts.
Revised Parking Requirements: Car parking is to be minimised or eliminated in areas with good public transport access, reducing construction costs and promoting sustainable travel.

For private developers and local authorities, these changes help address the economic viability gap that often affects apartment projects, making MRHD a more achievable and attractive option.

Matt Talbot Road Apartments, David Williams & Co Architects

The Critical Role of Design in High-Density Housing

While policy enables development, it is excellent design that creates successful, thriving communities. Thoughtful architecture transforms policy aspirations into tangible, liveable places, mitigating the challenges of density while amplifying its benefits. At DWCO, our design philosophy of "Joyful Efficiency" guides our approach to creating buildings that are simple, efficient, and make a positive social impact.

Design for Quality of Life

The quality of an individual's home is paramount. Good design focuses on the fundamentals that affect daily well-being:

Daylight and Privacy: Maximising natural light through dual-aspect apartments is essential. Careful internal layouts and well-designed balconies provide functionality, privacy, and vital amenity space.
Acoustic Performance: Effective acoustic insulation is crucial in high-density living to prevent noise transfer and ensure a peaceful home environment.

Design for Community and Place

Successful MRHD projects contribute positively to their neighbourhoods. As urban design architects in Dublin, we focus on creating a distinct sense of place.

Avoiding Monolithic Blocks: Good architecture responds to its local context. Variation in building form, scale, and the use of high-quality materials creates visual interest and a unique identity.
Prioritising People: Urban design should create permeable environments that prioritise walking and cycling over cars. Well-defined and overlooked streets enhance safety, while active ground-floor uses can animate the public realm. The development at Marianella, Rathgar, is an excellent Irish example, achieving a density of 88 units per hectare while integrating a new public park and ensuring pedestrian permeability.

Design for Environmental Sustainability

A deep commitment to social and environmental sustainability is central to our practice. We aim to create "long-life, low-energy" buildings that will last for generations.

Passive Design: Optimising a building's orientation for sunlight and designing for natural ventilation can significantly reduce energy demand.
Low-Carbon Materials: There is a significant opportunity for the increased use of sustainable materials like engineered timber in Irish MRHD developments. This approach, common in Finland, offers a much lower embodied carbon footprint and can facilitate faster construction.

Lisloose Apartments, David Williams & Co Architects

Navigating the Challenges to Delivery

Despite a supportive policy environment, delivering MRHD housing faces hurdles, particularly economic viability and construction costs. The planning system has also been a source of delays and added costs for many projects.

A rigorous, design-led approach is the most effective tool for mitigating these risks. An efficient design maximises the potential of a site, which directly improves viability. A thorough and well-justified planning application, prepared by experienced multi-unit residential architects, pre-emptively answers a planner’s questions and reduces the risk of delays. This focus on a clear, proven process is how we deliver certainty for our clients.

A Design-Led Future for Irish Housing

Mid-rise, high-density developments offer a clear path forward to address Ireland's housing needs in line with national sustainability goals. Their success, however, is not guaranteed by policy alone. It depends on a steadfast commitment to architectural excellence. Good design is the mechanism through which we ensure that as Ireland builds more compactly, it also builds better.

For developers, local authorities, and organisations looking to deliver high-quality housing in Ireland, the path forward requires expert design. Contact David Williams & Co Architects to discuss how our design-led approach can unlock the potential of your next project.

Mid-Rise, High-Density: A Design-Led Solution to Ireland's Housing Needs