Lecture on a A System for Ordinary Housing, that was highly commended for the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing 2026.

“A System for Ordinary Housing” builds on Ireland’s social housing tradition— from the masterplan and house types of Marino in Dublin designed by Horace O’Rourke in the 1920’s; to the Bord na Móna villages designed by Frank Gibney in the 1950s.

Gerry Cahill’s and SJK Architects’ collaboration learns from and follows this experience of simple, high-quality social housing to form connected senses of place in 21st Century Ireland. Their work was highly commended for the RIAI Silver Medal for Housing 2026.

“Own-door houses placed close to the street, modest front garden spaces neatly enclosing bin and bike storage, vernacular gables and corner buildings all contribute towards a safe and truly welcoming living environment. Theses are places where the community is clearly thriving. The concept of proposing a system of principles and details for use across the country is particularly welcome - in housing - as an ambition for why design matters.” – Jury Citation, 2026 RIAI Silver Medal for Housing.

Project Credits;

Employer: National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) / Department of Housing / Cork County Council / Clare County Council / Waterford City and County Council / Galway City Council.

Client Design team information

Architect SJK Architects in association with Gerry Cahill

Dermot McCabe, Elaine Naughton, Edel Tobin, Gerry Cahill, Orla Murphy, Eoin Kavanagh, Blair Stanaway, Ruth Fox, Lisa Fox, Ollie O’Brien, Brian Corcoran.

Project Management National Development Finance Agency

Quantity Surveyor Currie and Brown

Structural Engineer Hayes Higgins Partnership

M+E Engineer Matt O'Mahony & Associates

Landscape Radharc

Planning Consultant HRA Planning

Fire Consultant Jensen Hughes

Assigned Certifier AECOM

Public Private Partnership Contractor Design and Build team information

Contractor JJ Rhatigan + OHL

Architect Rhatigan Architects and Avanti Architects

Client TORC Housing Partnership

Project Management Equitix and Kajima Partnerships

Structural Engineer Punch Consulting Engineers

M+E Engineer Varming

Landscape Flannery Landscaping

Description supplied by the event organiser.