Bowden Court

Description

Located on Rathbeale Road at the edge of Swords village, Bowden Court blends harmoniously into its well-established residential surroundings.

This carefully designed development comprises eleven homes, each built to the highest standards of Universal Design. Informed by the principles of Age-Friendly Ireland, Bowden Court is tailored to meet the long-term needs of an aging community, offering comfort, safety, and adaptability as residents’ health or mobility requirements evolve. At an early stage, we consulted with Fingal’s Age Friendly Technical Advisors to ensure the development responds meaningfully to the needs of older adults in the community.

The project is a model of person-centred, inclusive housing. Four homes were allocated through Fingal County Council’s Medical Priority list, including two specially adapted for tenants with complex medical conditions, in collaboration with occupational therapists and social workers. Two additional homes were designated to older tenants relocating from unsuitable housing, allowing them to age in place with dignity and independence.

The development supports a diverse and inclusive community, with a particular focus on older residents, including those with disabilities and complex medical needs—reflecting Fingal’s commitment to age-friendly housing that enables people to remain close to their supports, services, and familiar surroundings as they age.

Key Age-Friendly Design Features:
• Location: Positioned within walking distance of local services and connected by public transport to Swords village, the site was selected to reduce isolation and support independent living.
• Connection to outdoors: Balconies overlook a west-facing communal garden and children’s play area promote intergenerational interaction and neighbourly engagement.
• Accessibility: All homes provide full level access across three floors, with wide internal doorways, open-plan layouts, and staircase designs that accommodate ambulant disabled users.
• Spare Bedroom: Seven homes include a second bedroom, offering space for a carer or visiting family member. All units are designed to adapt to future care needs.
• Medical Suitability: Two homes were specially modified to meet the complex needs of residents with significant medical conditions, based on professional assessments.
• Energy & Cost Efficient: A2-rated homes feature air-source heat pumps and demand-controlled ventilation, promoting comfort and reducing fuel poverty.
• Technology & Safety: Each dwelling includes a video intercom connected to the main entrance, enhancing safety and autonomy. Two units were fitted with automatic door closers for improved wheelchair accessibility.
• Security: CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles were incorporated, including natural surveillance from balconies and soft landscaping to define public and private spaces. Community connection is supported by an on-site management company.

Bowden Court exemplifies best practice in delivering homes that are future-proofed, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of older residents and those with disabilities. By embedding age-friendly thinking at every stage, from design and location to allocation and ongoing support, the development empowers people to live independently, safely, and comfortably in their community for longer.

Fingal County Council is proud to present Bowden Court as a leading example of local government’s role in shaping inclusive, age-friendly housing solutions through meaningful collaboration with health and social care partners.

Aim of Initiative

The aim of the initiative was to create a safe, inclusive, and age-friendly residential development that transforms a previously underutilised and problematic site into high-quality, accessible homes. The site, once linked to anti-social behaviour, had negatively impacted nearby communities, including Pine Grove, Mooretown Park, and Abbylea. Thoughtful redevelopment has enhanced safety, visual appeal, and liveability, delivering lasting benefits to local families and the wider community.

The development also aimed to address local housing demand, easing pressure on the social housing system by offering a mix of unit sizes to serve a diverse tenant population. Larger apartments accommodate growing families, enabling residents to stay close to extended family, schools, and established community networks, strengthening social cohesion and preserving the village-like character of Swords.

A key objective was to provide eleven fully accessible and inclusive homes aligned with age-friendly principles and responsive to identified social housing needs. Design features such as power-operated, access-controlled doors, level access via wide communal corridors, and secure video intercom systems ensure safety and ease of movement for older residents, caregivers, and families with young children.

Grounded in universal design and age-friendly standards, the housing mix supports a broad range of household types: spacious three-bedroom apartments serve larger families, while two-bedroom units are tailored for residents with medical needs, including space for a live-in carer where required. These adaptable, future-ready homes promote long-term residency and foster inclusive, community-focused living that supports ageing in place.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative is aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and age-friendly residential community that meets the needs of residents at every stage of life. By offering a range of adaptable homes, it supports traditional and lone-parent families, older adults with disabilities, and individuals with complex medical needs. The development promotes social connection, independence, and stability within the neighbourhood, ensuring that residents can live comfortably and securely.

Through targeted allocation, such as reserving four homes from Fingal County Council’s Medical Priority list and designating two units specifically for older tenants relocating to more accessible accommodation, the project fosters a diverse, multigenerational community. Additionally, two dwellings have been specially adapted to address complex medical requirements, prioritizing accessibility, comfort, and ease of use in line with universal and age-friendly design principles.

Beyond the homes themselves, communal features like a west-facing garden with a children’s play area encourage safe, meaningful interactions across generations, further strengthening the family-friendly atmosphere and sense of community.

Overall, the initiative aims to provide high-quality, future-ready housing that enables residents to age in place, maintain independence, and enjoy a supportive, connected living environment.

3 Steps critical to success

1. The development of the social housing scheme began with establishing a detailed housing brief, followed by a comprehensive site analysis to evaluate all opportunities and constraints. Particular attention was given to the site’s proximity to essential services and transport links, ensuring the project would meet the requirements for age-friendly housing and support residents’ independence and connectivity. These factors and expected positive outcomes were clearly outlined in the funding application.
2. Design development required careful consideration of architectural design, materials, and scale to ensure the scheme respected the character of the established surrounding neighbourhood. The result is a development that takes a sensitive approach to its context and neighbours. Close collaboration with the planning department and adherence to Fingal Development Plan guidelines helped determine appropriate height and density. Comprising eleven apartments, the scheme supports a small, close-knit community, encouraging strong neighbourly relationships and a sense of belonging.
3. During the construction process, the Housing Department began allocating the apartments and identifying units that required specific adaptations to meet individual tenant needs. These adaptation works were guided by Occupational Therapist (OT) reports and conducted in close consultation with tenants and social workers. This collaborative, person-centred approach ensured that each home was tailored to support long-term comfort, accessibility, and inclusivity for all residents.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Social housing delivery takes over 2.5 years, making it hard to know future tenants’ needs early—especially for adaptable, age-friendly homes. Since apartments are allocated late, design flexibility is essential to allow later modifications. Tenant needs often arise during construction, complicating adaptations due to lack of formal funding or permission processes. To address this, Universal Design principles were used from the start, embedding features like level access and wide corridors to support easy future adaptations and enable residents to age in place independently.
2. Another key challenge was balancing the immediate and long-term needs of residents, especially as they age. To meet this, Fingal County Council engaged a resolute management company to foster community cohesion and promote stability. This goes beyond traditional property management by providing integrated support in healthcare, education, and employment—helping residents, including older adults, move toward independence. The management company also encourages tenant participation through regular meetings, giving residents of all ages a voice in shaping their environment and community culture. By fostering self-ownership and shared responsibility for upkeep, the initiative supports a resilient, inclusive, and age-friendly neighbourhood.
3. The project faced practical challenges, including early structural design issues that required close collaboration with the design team to resolve. Incorporating age-friendly features and assistive technology integration added complexity during construction, demanding specialized expertise and careful coordination. Through ongoing teamwork, the project successfully delivered a high-quality, adaptable development that meets the needs of its residents.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. The project successfully transformed a previously underutilised FCC depot into eleven high-quality, age-friendly social housing units that promote independent living, inclusion, and long-term wellbeing. Designed in line with Fingal County Council’s Age-Friendly Strategy and Universal Design standards, all homes are fully accessible and adaptable, with two units tailored for tenants with complex medical needs, enabling residents, particularly older adults, and those with disabilities, to age in place with dignity and comfort. This development fosters a safe, inclusive, and vibrant neighbourhood that respects local character and leverages nearby amenities and transport links. It enhances community wellbeing by strengthening social connections, improving safety, and contributing positively to the local environment, serving as a successful model of age-friendly, community-focused social housing.
2. All dwellings are A2-rated homes, incorporating low-cost, sustainable features such as heat pumps and demand-controlled ventilation. These energy-efficient measures significantly reduce utility bills, promoting long-term affordability and helping to alleviate fuel poverty. Additionally, they ensure excellent thermal comfort and air quality, supporting the health and well-being of tenants.
3. The open space has been attractively designed with carefully selected planting and trees that support biodiversity while creating a welcoming, inclusive environment for residents of all ages. Swift boxes are seamlessly integrated into the brick façade to provide nesting sites, and pollinator-friendly landscaping enhances the ecological value of the development. These natural features offer children a vibrant and safe outdoor space for play and exploration, while also providing older residents with a tranquil, engaging setting to enjoy nature, promoting wellbeing, intergenerational interaction, and environmental awareness within a biodiverse community space.