A System for Ordinary Housing SJK Architects with Gerry Cahill.

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