Examining the architecture of homes in Ireland

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Open House Dublin, the biggest architectural festival held in Ireland. The event is organised by the Irish Architecture Foundation and will take place between the 16th and 18th of October. The calendar for 2015 is the largest to date and gives visitors free public access to more than 80 buildings. There will also be tours, talks and a wide range of other events taking place.The theme for Open House Dublin 2015 is "This Place We Call Home". It is fitting then that visitors will have the chance to take a look at the homes of well known architects and landmark social housing projects. The aim of the theme is to encourage people to think about three important topics: where they live, how they live and what they want to live in.The theme is poignant because Dublin has experienced rapid expansion in recent years and is now struggling to find space for inhabitants. Demand remains high for land and homes in the city but the supply is becoming more and more strained. There are several reasons for this including a lack of vision and foresight regarding the urban environment.The event will look at the structures that have shaped the city, the impact they have had on the way people live, and the influence they will have on architecture in the future. There will be a chance to take tours of the housing estates in Crumlin from the 20s and 30s during the event. Alongside this you can see social housing in Ballymun. Visitors will also be able to see modern properties such as dockland apartments, refurbishments and new builds. The transition between these historic and modern properties demonstrates just how far Ireland has come.If you have an interest in residential architecture or would like the opportunity to see inside a number of properties that rarely receive visitors make sure you don't miss Open House Dublin 2015. As specialists in residential architecture for London clients, we have already enjoyed Open House London this year and are now looking forward to the Dublin event.