Building the future: Respond’s vision for large scale developments
As Ireland’s largest construction-led Approved Housing Body (AHB) and service provider, Respond is at the forefront of delivering large-scale, mixed-tenure housing developments across the country. With over 40 years of experience, Respond is demonstrating how large-scale projects can be delivered to provide homes and build long term, integrated communities.
Respond’s commitment to delivering at scale is evident in its expanding construction programme, now valued at €2 billion. With 3,206 homes under construction, these large-scale schemes will be located across Dublin and Cork. Each will feature an approximately 50:50 split between cost rental and social homes, ensuring affordable, secure housing within mixed tenure communities.
Griffin Point: Community focused large-scale development
Griffin Point, Donaghmede, goes beyond the traditional concept of housing by integrating communal spaces, essential services, and amenities that are designed to create a strong sense of place and belonging.
The 397 social and cost rental homes are part of a carefully designed development, ensuring that tenants not only have high quality homes but also access to the facilities and support networks they need to thrive.
Respond will also provide an Early Learning and School Age Care service within the development, reinforcing the commitment to supporting families and enabling social connection. Designed with attention to detail, the project leverages Respond’s deep-rooted expertise in placemaking, planning, construction, and housing management, ensuring the development is both expansive and deeply connected to the needs of its tenants.
Griffin Point stands out for its use of modern construction methods, which streamline the building process and enhance the building quality. The external wall system has been designed so that wall units are delivered to site incorporate pre-cast concrete panels, brick slips, insulation, and windows, minimising the need for scaffolding, accelerating the development speed, and improving health and safety on site.
Every stage of Griffin Point’s design incorporates people-first urban design elements – from green spaces that encourage outdoor interaction to shared tenant facilities that bring neighbours together. The development embodies Respond’s Urban Village Placemaking approach, proving that large-scale housing can be delivered in a way that prioritises community cohesion, safety, and sustainability.
Pipers Square: Europe’s largest Passiv house development
Sustainability is a guiding principle in modern housing, and Respond has placed it at the heart of its large-scale developments. From eco-friendly materials to thoughtfully integrated green spaces, every project is designed to enhance the environment while improving the quality of life for tenants.
One of the most ambitious examples is Pipers Square, Charlestown. At 598 units, it is Europe’s largest Passiv House scheme, representing a forward-thinking approach to sustainable urban living. Like all Respond developments, Pipers Square is designed to function not just as housing but as a well-connected neighbourhood, where residents have access to local services, transport, and social infrastructure.
Developed by Cairn Homes, Pipers Square is built to the rigorous standards of the Passiv Housing Institute. These homes are designed to significantly reduce energy demand while providing optimal indoor air quality and comfort for its tenants, setting a new standard in sustainable urban living. These homes will offer substantial long-term cost savings for tenants due to lower maintenance and operational expenses. It is hoped that with this many households potentially will be insulated from extreme energy price shocks, thus reducing financial burdens.
Director of Strategy and Public Affairs at Respond, Niamh Randall says: “Respond is forward thinking and always trying to adopt sustainable building practices. This Passiv House scheme will alleviate costs for tenants without taking away from the high quality of homes provided. We believe this scheme will be beneficial to our tenants who move into Pipers Square by significantly reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.”
More than just a sustainable housing development, Pipers Square is designed as a place where people can put down roots. The inclusion of a community hub, alongside essential services such as Early Learning and School Age Care, ensures that families have everything they need within walking distance. Situated close to shops, schools, parks, and public transport, the development supports walkable, well-connected urban living, a key element of Respond’s Urban Village Placemaking approach.
Building homes, improving lives
While Respond’s scale of delivery is impressive, what truly sets the organisation apart is its commitment to placemaking and community-building. Each large-scale development is more than just a collection of homes – it is a carefully planned, people-centred neighbourhood designed to support tenants’ wellbeing.
With over 3,200 homes in construction and a strong focus on high-quality housing design and long-term community integration, Respond is setting a new standard for large-scale housing developments in Ireland. By combining scale, expertise, and people-first placemaking, Respond is not just building homes – it is creating places where individuals, families, and communities can thrive.
W: www.respond.ie
