RIAI Competition 2nd Place – Rose Bush

• Stage: Competition Entry 2023 - Second Place
• Location: Roscrea
• Client: RIAI

The design aims to foster community and neighbourly relationships through open, simple, shared common areas. Set on a challenging, sloped site, the breakdown of public realm to private space on street level was a fundamental design criteria to address in order to unlock the site potential.

The proposal consists of 16 no. residential units in two linear blocks at right angles forming an L-Profile, huddled around a series of platforms. These open to Chapel Lane with tiered, stepped landscape anchoring the development along the street edge, with a new undulating wildflower pedestrian route connecting through to the wider masterplan. The long edge along Chapel Lane is broken by new steps and landscaped tiered walls to bring focus to the streetscape.

In building form, varying volumes of one, two and three storey ensure a rhythmic form, with a dynamic balance between solid and void. A community centre at ground floor level and main entrance, at the junction between the two blocks, anchors the proposed buildings and ensures that community spirit and connectivity is at the forefront of the design.

Entrance and community conversation is a leading design ethos throughout the plan. All entrances to individual dwellings are own door accessed from small shared ‘rose bush front’ gardens at ground floor level or shared courtyards at upper levels, all which are clearly visible from the street. These offer a sense of privacy and ownership while still retaining an open communal dialogue which fosters social interaction.