Architecture, Design & Building Typologies

As Europe faces intersecting housing and climate crises, the way we design and build residential environments is undergoing a profound shift. Architectural innovation focuses on rethinking building typologies, from perimeter blocks to mid-rise towers and courtyards, to create sustainable, adaptable, and mixed-use morphologies. Guided by frameworks like the EU Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, there is an urgent push to adopt mass timber, biobased materials, and modular construction methods that reduce delivery times and environmental impact. Adaptive design is equally essential, ensuring buildings can evolve with changing tenure needs or seamlessly layer residential spaces with commercial uses. This topic captures these diverse perspectives, highlighting how fresh methodologies are advancing housing quality.

Below, you will find a curated selection of resources, projects, and networks driving this transformation. The knowledge repository features case studies on office-to-residential conversions from Tuath Housing, insights into apartment construction costs in Dublin, and research on urban regeneration. You can explore pioneering projects such as A House for Artists, Brutopia, and De Warren, which showcase adaptive models in practice. The page also highlights leading organisations shaping the field, including the Architects Council of Europe, ARUP, and AUAR. Finally, discover upcoming industry events like Architecture Matters 2026 and the Built by Nature Annual Summit, offering opportunities to connect with practitioners. We invite you to explore these materials and engage with the innovations redefining our built environment.