Vacant to Viable- Addressing Barriers in Building Regulations for Reuse of Existing Buildings (W1)

Join the Conversation – Online Workshop Invitation

The Vacant to Viable project, funded by Construct Innovate and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is working to uncover and understand the actual and perceived barriers within Ireland’s Building Regulations and Technical Guidance Documents (TGDs) that hinder the reuse of existing vacant and underused buildings.

Funded By:

Led by the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), this project aims to unlock the potential of these buildings to support Ireland’s housing needs, sustainability targets, and national decarbonisation goals.

In collaboration with:

Why It Matters

Repurposing existing buildings plays a critical role in:

• Reducing construction-related emissions
• Preserving architectural heritage
• Addressing vacancy and underutilisation in urban and rural areas
• Supporting more sustainable, resilient communities

However, complex and outdated regulatory frameworks often stand in the way of progress. The Vacant to Viable project is identifying these challenges- and we need your expertise to shape the solutions.

You’re Invited: Online Soundcheck Workshop

We are pleased to invite you to an interactive online workshop to:

• Review and soundcheck the initial findings of the project
• Share your experience with Building Regulations and TGDs in practice
• Help shape practical, implementable recommendations for policy improvement

Your insights will directly contribute to a set of recommendations to be submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage by the end of 2025.

Who Should Attend?

We welcome participation from:

• Architects and engineers
• Developers and property owners
• Local authorities and building control officers
• Conservation specialists
• Sustainability professionals
• Anyone involved in adaptive reuse or retrofitting projects

Register Your Interest

Be part of the solution and help shape the future of Ireland’s building reuse policy.
👉 Email Joselyn at [email protected]