National Policy on Architecture to Boost Public Engagement and Create New Design Quality Criteria

Design Quality Criteria

The publication of national design quality criteria is a priority action of the policy. These will be a set of objective tests for assessing the quality of all phases of built-environment projects: design, procurement, construction, management, use, conservation, re-purposing, and disassembly. The assessment values will be based on the European high quality design criteria and circular economy principles. By setting out a consistent, objective approach to the assessment of design quality, these criteria will strengthen public procurement procedures and enhance our capacity to deliver buildings that work for all.   

Public engagement with architectural design

The policy seeks to generate greater public engagement with architectural design, using tools that encourage all stakeholders to work together to deliver homes, workplaces, and public spaces that create and sustain resilient, vibrant and inclusive communities.

A public sector information exchange network is a priority action proposed in the policy, aiming to share knowledge and best practice amongst architects and built environment professionals employed in Government Departments, Local Authorities, and State Agencies.

A new national architecture and built environment research service

The policy commits to scoping out the establishment of a national research service to create, maintain and enhance architectural and built environment research capacity. This policy action seeks to advance multi-disciplinary research to drive innovation, high-quality design and sustainable construction responses, and enables us to measure progress towards ‘net zero’ buildings and places.

These priority actions are building blocks towards a multi-annual programme of work, led by the State Architect, Ciaran O’Connor and a Delivery Board responsible for the plan’s implementation.

Policy linkages

The policy recognises particularly the vital contribution that architecture can make to the implementation of government priorities including Project Ireland 2040, the Climate Action Plan 2021, Housing for All, Heritage Ireland 2030, and Town Centre First.

The policy will also act as a bridge to new European Green Deal initiatives and the mobilisation of the New European Bauhaus, linking Ireland to this new creative and interdisciplinary initiative. The New European Bauhaus is a meeting space to design future ways of living, situated at the crossroads between art, culture, social inclusion, science and technology. It calls for a collective effort to imagine and build a future that is sustainable, inclusive and beautiful.

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan T.D. said:

“This policy recognises the vital role that architects and built environment professionals can play in addressing many of the urgent sustainability and social challenges which we face. It puts in place a framework of practical actions to ensure that we draw full value from the art and craft of architecture, and deliver buildings and public spaces that work for all.

I particularly welcome the focus on maintaining and rehabilitating our built heritage, so that our communities can benefit long into the future from the skill, energy, and care embedded in these buildings.

The success of this policy will come from public, private and non-profit sectors engaging creatively, innovatively and respectfully, recognising all aspects of quality in design and construction, which are vital to long-term sustainability and wellbeing.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien T.D. commented:

“The new National Policy on Architecture is the product of wide collaboration across the public and private sectors. I would like to thank sincerely all who participated in the process.

We are fortunate in Ireland to have a world-class architecture profession – emphasised just last month when Grafton Architects deservedly won the European Union award for contemporary architecture. I see every day the contribution that architects and built environment professionals make to key national priorities, including my own Department’s Housing for All plan.

I believe the Places for People policy and its actions will support and enhance this contribution, helping to deliver homes, workplaces, and public amenities in which our communities can flourish.”

RIAI welcome publication of National Policy on Architecture

The RIAI has welcomed the launch of "Places for People", the new National Policy on Architecture, published on May 18, 2022. The RIAI promotes and encourages collaboration and is pleased to see this policy is the product of key partners and stakeholders coming together.

The new National Policy on Architecture will promote and embed quality in architecture and the built environment in Ireland, for increased environmental, economic and social sustainability and resilience.

This new policy will play an integral part in implementing the vision for architecture in the future, providing policy actions that will encourage best quality in researching, understanding, managing, enhancing and reusing our existing built environment assets as well as delivering sustainable new places and spaces.

Speaking at the launch RIAI President Charlotte Sheridan said,

“We were delighted to participate in this really important launch of ‘Places for People’, the National Policy on Architecture. The RIAI is the home of Architecture in Ireland, and Architecture is all about creating places for people, buildings and the spaces between buildings.

The work of architecture only comes alive when appropriated by others, and it is apt that Policy on Architecture is titled ‘Places for People’ Architecture brings immense social value, it enriches our distinctive culture and heritage, our sense of place and identity, and it can improve our quality of life, our health and wellbeing and can support us to live sustainably.”