Unlocking Housing with Gameification

The steps that are currently taken to deliver housing are mapped out to understanding the pros and cons of the current model. This then allows us to propose a counter approach, one that builds homes rather than houses and communities rather than developments.

To build for the public we believe the whole Housing Delivery Process (HDP)* needs to be built in public and with the public i.e. in a transparent and participatory manner. Our proposal for a ‘visionled’ approach brings diverse local stakeholders around a shared vision from the outset. We believe that a more participatory and inclusive approach is not just a ‘nice to have’; it is a critical answer to unlocking housing. Our proposal is in part to allow the all stakeholders to have their say and help shape the outcome - by gamifying the process to simulate the design and decision process allows local stakeholders to effectively become members of the decision making team.

The level and weighting of the input depends on the stakeholders role in the project. This is to ensure appropriate influence on the outcome of the process. Potential residents answers detailed surveys on the formal structure, operations and facilities that may be provided, while the wider community respond to aspect of the project that will affect the area more generally. We believe by having all stakeholder inputting from the beginning, we will have a more inclusive project, designed around the community need which is less likely to fall fowl on nimbyism.

To meet the needs of the projects potential users, a number of narrative profiles have been developed. By imaging their wants and desires and values, we can begin to see how the development can respond to fulfill these.

The units are designed on a structural grid that facilitates stacking therefore allowing the unit mix to remain flexible prior to construction, responding to user demand.

Depending on the arrangement and mix of the units, different external configurations emerge. These spaces create opportunities to private and shared amenities.

This is designed for the single person or couple who are not in need of much space. It's designed to be compact and efficient, minimising space waste and maximising space potential.

More generous than unit 1, this provides room for a couple who might decide to grow to a young family. Clever storage is utilised to maximise space use.

This is the most generous of the residential units. It's designed to consider multi-generational needs, growing with the users and adapting as they change through life.

This is a commercial ground floor unit. Flexible in layout, it's designed to adapt the the needs of the business owner that has taken the leap of faith to start something new.

The strategy is applied in the dense context of medieval city centre block in Sligo. This infill approach unlocks the potential of this back-lands site, helping to meet the housing need and activate the city centre. Named after the old Savoy Cinema that still leaves a trace, the project is known as Savoy Village.

The common space on ground level is designed as a lush green park with native planting. Traces of historic buildings are mapped and shown in the ground to create paths and surface treatments, denoting different areas within the landscape.

The proposal uses existing lanes as the way to connect the development into the wider context of Sligo providing easy transition between two different worlds.

The project has been designed to leverage the view of Benbulben, this creates a direct contextural link with the wider context of Co. Sligo.

The final outcome is the result of the needs and requirements of the users, applied to the site to create a unique community.