How the Reimagine Project unlocks the potential of villages and towns

Every person in Ireland should be able to feel safe, connected and at home in their built environment, and co-creating this sense of belonging is key to the work of Reimagine.

Reimagine is a nationwide placemaking programme, working with communities across Ireland to co-create and co-design solutions to problems or opportunities they’ve identified in their locality.

Reimagine matches architects with local partners, enabling communities to play an active role in the development of their neighbourhoods, streetscapes, parks, villages and towns. It is vital that local insight and tacit knowledge are integral to the final design solutions, fostering a sense of agency, ownership and pride among communities.

We recognise the important role that architects can play, as a conduit between communities of interest and place and those who make the decisions that affect their lived experiences. Every person in Ireland should be able to feel safe, connected and at home in their built environment, and co-creating this sense of belonging is key to the work of Reimagine.

Through 2019 and 2020 we have worked with communities in Dundrum, Tallaght, Kilrush, Kells, Mohill, Letterkenny, Loughrea:

Tallaght, Co. Dublin: ‘Melt the Walls’ focused on enhancing Chamber Square for the local residents with a temporary installation, connecting it with the surrounding cultural buildings. Architects: OBFA

Kilrush, Co. Clare: SAUL IU worked with Kilrush Town Team to create a new vision for the town. Architectural Team: Saul Intelligence Unit.

Mohill, Co. Leitrim: this project involved working with the community to identify opportunities for low cost tourist accommodation in the area. Architect: Ciara Reynolds.

Loughrea, Co. Galway: Through Thinning Landscapes. An architectural installation along ‘The Walks’ in Loughrea invited the community to consider the future in terms of biodiversity. Architects: BothAnd.

Kells, Co. Meath: This project connected with the community to consider the future of heritage buildings in terms of broad urban design.

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal: Cultural District Letterkenny. The aim of this project was to better link the existing cultural buildings in Letterkenny town, creating a Cultural District. Architects: Pasperakis Friel.

The Reimagine project has been supported by Creative Ireland Programme’s National Creativity Fund.