Designs on future homes celebrated

Architecture students took part in a future housing design ideas competition to create a social housing scheme that could potentially be built on the site of Coolmoyne and Rathmoyne House, two tower blocks in Seymour Hill, Dunmurry, when they are demolished.

In collaboration with both Queen’s and Ulster University, students worked to develop design concepts across the last academic year. They were asked to consider what the social housing of tomorrow might look like and consider factors such as energy efficiency and carbon neutral homes, as well as homes that could easily be altered to accommodate tenant’s change needs and lifestyles.

Nicole Lappin, Chair of the Housing Executive, was part of the judging panel and was amazed at the work and planning the students put into their designs. She said:

“This competition was a chance for architect students to showcase their design talents, and they did not disappoint!

“The entries were of a very high standard and 14 students took part in a public exhibition to give the public an opportunity to see the designs and vote on their ‘community’ choice.

Students and Housing Executive staff proudly present some of the shortlisted designs at the public exhibition in St Hilda’s Hall, Seymour Hill, Dunmurry held on 1st June.

“The judges were impressed with the high standard of entries and wanted the public to have an opportunity to see the designs put forward, which were exhibited in Seymour Hill estate in Dunmurry, close to where Coolmoyne House and Rathmoyne House will be taken down.”

“After a challenging final presentation by the four shortlisted entries, I was delighted to announce the winner as Shannon Burnside, who won a bursary of £1,000.

“Shannon’s ‘Sustainable and Natural Neighbourhoods’ design showed a clear vision, with the local community at the heart of her concept. The judges particularly liked her approach which enabled residents to maintain some of the communal spaces throughout the scheme by way of volunteering and education, giving tenants a sense of pride and ownership in their community.”

The competition came about as part of the Housing Executive’s Tower Block Action Plan, which includes proposals to replace some tower blocks with new, more sustainable homes. Taking account of changing housing methods and including the public in the design process was also very important.

The Department for Communities has already given approval for 10 tower blocks in Housing Executive ownership to be demolished, and all are at various stages of this process. The first block to be demolished, Monkscoole House in Newtownabbey, is visibly coming down this month.

Competition winner Shannon said, “It’s incredible to have created the chosen design, I didn’t expect it at all!

“I really enjoyed the competition, it was challenging but very interesting to work through and research. Being able to help and be inspired by other students’ work really stood out for me during this process.

“My design proposal is all about connections between neighbours, nature, the built environment, demographics, and lifestyles whilst also seeking to address climate change and the housing crisis. I also wanted to create housing that was dignified and that residents could really curate into their own spaces.

“Thank you again to the Housing Executive for creating this brilliant challenge, and I hope they host something similar again in the future.”

The community choice award went to Ayat al Wazzan, who receives a bursary of £250. She said:

“I am honoured and delighted to win the Community Choice Award, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who attended the public event and voted for my project. I hope I will have the opportunity to be part of delivering this project to our local community.

“It was a wonderful initiative to ask students for their input and their new ideas.  It would be great if you hosted a competition every year.”