Housing for the Elderly- Leighlinbridge

Following a competitive tender in 2010, PKA was appointed by the Leighlinbridge Housing Association as architects for this sheltered housing development at the centre of the Carlow heritage village.

Located in the village centre, and adjacent to the parish church, community centre and former (protected structure) presbytery, the development comprises 15 units for the elderly of the town and its hinterland. 

PKA’s design consists of two terraces of single-storey houses, aligned along a pre-existing avenue that runs the length of the site from its historic gateway to the former presbytery, now a creche,  at the northern end of the parish property.

All two-bedroom units, the two terraces are separated by a freestanding community building which contains dining, office and meeting spaces for the use of residents and the locality.

With a frontage onto the grounds of the parish church and community centre, each unit also has an enclosed patio to the rear that opens onto a communal garden which residents have taken ownership of to cultivate their gardening skills.

Rendered walls, aluminium windows, slate roofs and metal rainwater goods, with a judicious use of colour, combine to create a design that is economic in its use of materials and modest in its architectural expression.

Designed ahead of today's requirement for NZEB compliance, Leighlinbridge used condensing gas boilers and solar water heating to achieve B2 energy ratings. 

Much liked by its residents, this community-led development won the Best Housing for Older Persons in the 2015 Irish Council for Social Housing awards.

Client: Leighlinbridge Housing Association

Value: €2,054,600

Size: 1,135 sq.m.

Reference: Edward Meaney, Chairperson, LHA
Design: 2010
Completed:2014