Fold Housing, Dolphins Barn, Dublin 8.

Sheltered housing needs to perform as more than bricks and mortar. It has a social context which demands positive contribution to the lives of its residents and creation of community identity. Fold Housing in Dolphins Barn is an exemplar for small, sheltered communities and how they should be designed to the highest quality.

Fold Housing is a community focused housing development comprised of 43 sheltered apartments wrapped around a landscaped courtyard. The project has a community centre on the ground floor and ancillary accommodation to serve the wider community in Rialto, Dublin.

Scale and massing of the scheme have been modulated to take into account sun movement and daylighting to the courtyard while exploiting site constraints and ensuring that it contributes positively to its context. A key aspect of the success of the design is the access walkways. These ‘sky bridges’ act as informal meeting spaces and place a strong emphasis on interaction between residents. This interaction is a central tenet of the design and forms the key driver to the overall building design and aesthetic.

Ground floor units benefit from private front or rear gardens while the upper-level apartments are provided with a private balcony off-set between different levels. Full height glazing provides social engagement with the circulation spaces critical for community interaction.

The courtyard space is generously sized and a focal point for the community with planters, pergolas and fixed seating. A community room also benefits from direct access to an adjoining outdoor terrace area.