Building Ireland's Future: Why Mid-Rise High-Density Housing is Key to Sustainable Growth
Ireland is at a pivotal moment. The ongoing housing crisis, marked by a significant gap between demand and supply, requires innovative and sustainable solutions. 1 While the challenge is immense, it presents a powerful opportunity to reshape our urban landscapes for the better. The answer isn't just to build more, but to build smarter. This is where Mid-Rise High-Density (MRHD) housing emerges as a crucial part of the solution.
At David Williams & Co Architects, we believe that well-designed MRHD developments are fundamental to achieving the compact, sustainable, and liveable communities Ireland needs. Through our philosophy of Joyful Efficiency, we see a clear path to creating high-quality homes that not only address supply issues but also foster community, enhance well-being, and deliver lasting value.
This article explores the significant potential of mid-rise high-density housing in Ireland, the supportive new policies, and the pivotal role of architectural design in turning this potential into a reality.
Matt Talbot Road Apartments, David Williams & Co Architects
What Exactly is Mid-Rise High-Density Housing?
Mid-rise high-density housing typically refers to residential buildings between three and eight storeys tall. It occupies a vital middle ground, offering a strategic alternative to both low-density suburban sprawl and towering city-centre high-rises.
This typology can achieve significant residential densities, often between 50 and 300 dwellings per hectare, while maintaining a human scale that integrates harmoniously with existing communities. It’s a versatile model for urban consolidation, allowing us to build up, not just out, making efficient use of valuable, serviced land.
A Policy Shift: How Ireland is Embracing Compact Growth
Recent changes in Irish planning policy signal a clear and committed move towards more sustainable urban development. This new framework is creating a more favourable environment for delivering well-designed mid-rise high-density housing in Ireland.
Two key documents are leading this charge:
The National Planning Framework (NPF): The NPF sets the high-level strategy, mandating that at least half of all new homes in our cities must be built within their existing footprints. This focus on compact growth Ireland is essential to prevent unsustainable sprawl and leverage existing infrastructure.
The Sustainable Residential Development and Compact Settlements Guidelines (2024): These new guidelines translate the NPF’s vision into practical policy. They introduce crucial changes to apartment design standards Ireland, including reducing the minimum separation distances between buildings from 22 to 16 metres and requiring minimal or zero car parking in areas with good public transport.
These changes directly address previous barriers to apartment development, making it more viable to deliver the density our urban centres need, in alignment with the government's Housing for All plan.
Lisloose Apartments, David Williams & Co Architects
The Tangible Benefits of Well-Designed Mid-Rise Developments
When executed with architectural care, MRHD projects offer a cascade of benefits that create a virtuous cycle of sustainability and liveability.
Efficient Land Use: By accommodating more homes on a smaller footprint, MRHD preserves greenfield sites and makes the most of serviced urban land.
Supports Sustainable Transport: Higher population density makes public transport networks more viable and frequent. It’s also the backbone of the "15-minute city" concept, where daily needs are just a short walk or cycle away, reducing car dependency.
Economic and Environmental Wins: Compact growth reduces the per-capita cost of public infrastructure. Furthermore, apartments are typically more energy-efficient, and reduced car use leads to lower carbon emissions, contributing to a healthier environment.
Fosters Vibrant Communities: Well-designed developments incorporating shared gardens, courtyards, and residents' lounges create opportunities for social interaction and foster a strong sense of community.
The Architect's Role: Turning Policy into Places People Love
Policy and density targets alone do not create a thriving community. The success of mid-rise high-density housing in Ireland hinges on architectural excellence. It is the architect's role to translate policy into physical spaces that are not just compliant, but desirable, sustainable, and joyful.
This is where our core principles at DW&Co come into play:
Design for Quality of Life: Good design is about the daily experience of the inhabitants. We prioritise maximising natural light and creating dual-aspect apartments that are bright and airy, a principle we are applying to our proposed 58-unit development in Lisloose, Co. Kerry. Providing a balance of private balconies and well-designed communal open spaces is essential for resident well-being and community life.
Design for Community and Place: MRHD developments must contribute positively to their context. This means avoiding monolithic blocks and instead creating buildings with individual character, visual interest, and a harmonious relationship with their surroundings. Our focus on Transformative Collaboration ensures we work closely with clients and stakeholders to create designs that are rooted in their specific place and purpose.
Design for Sustainable Impact: Our commitment is to create long-life, low-energy, environmentally and socially sustainable buildings. This involves a fabric-first approach, optimising building orientation for passive solar gain, and championing sustainable materials. It's about delivering buildings that are not only efficient to run but are also adaptable and built to last for generations.
Overcoming the Challenges Together
Delivering high-quality housing is not without its challenges. The economic viability of apartment construction and the complexities of the planning system are significant hurdles.
Navigating this landscape requires expertise, diligence, and a proven process. As experienced architects for housing developments in Dublin and across Ireland, DW&Co provides clients with a clear, 4-stage methodology that brings transparency and predictability from the initial concept to final handover. Our excellent track record in securing planning permission provides our clients—whether they are public bodies or private developers—with the confidence and reduced risk they need to move forward.
Let's Build the Future of Irish Housing
Mid-rise high-density development represents one of the most promising pathways to addressing Ireland’s housing needs sustainably. It is a model that supports vibrant communities, protects our environment, and creates efficient, liveable towns and cities.
Achieving this potential requires a partnership between ambitious clients and a dedicated architectural team. It demands a vision that balances creative design with rigorous execution—what we call Joyful Efficiency.
If you are a developer, local authority, or organisation looking to create high-quality, sustainable housing that delivers real social and economic value, our team at David Williams & Co Architects is ready to help. Contact us today to discuss how we can apply our collaborative design process to your next project.