Architecture Updates: Local Initiatives, Housing Competitions and Door Drama

RIAI Simon Open Door 2023: Jennifer Kitson (Simon Communities), Dermot Bannon MRIAI and Kathryn Meghen (RIAI CEO).

RIAI SIMON OPEN DOOR

Are you thinking of renovating, extending or building but are unsure where to start? The annual RIAI Simon Open Door charity event could be the perfect opportunity. In return for a €98 donation, homeowners can receive an hour-long consultation with an RIAI-registered architect to discuss building or renovating their homes. Consultations can take place online or in person and all funds raised go directly to Simon Communities to support their work in tackling homelessness. Bookings will open in early April and people are encouraged to book a consultation with an RIAI registered architect in their local area by visiting www.riaisimonopendoor.ie

TOWN CENTRE LIVING HOUSING COMPETITIONS

Irish towns are fantastic places to live, work and for enjoyment. To encourage town-centre living and identify innovative housing design solutions, the RIAI partnered with the Department of Housing to run four Town Centre Living housing competitions for Castleblayney, Kildare, Roscrea and Sligo. It is intended that the winning architecture practices will be awarded the design commission and that the selected sites would be progressed as real social housing projects by the various local authorities. Entries were due on March 31 with the results of the open and anonymous architecture competition announced in early summer 2023. www.riai.ie Sandra Andrea O’Connell

DOOR DRAMA

Two Irish companies offer unique glazing solutions for inside and out.

STEEL-FRAMED INTERNAL DOORS

The STEELIT range by Porta offers a choice of slim-profile frame styles that partition areas without compromising on space or light. Powder coated with impact-resistant paint, they are fitted with certified safety glass. www.porta.ie.

WALL-TO-WALL GLASS DOORS

Lumi is an innovative new range by FAIRCO, designed specifically for the Irish climate, its advanced glazing technology provides exceptional energy efficiency even when used over large areas. www.fairco.ie.