Rhiz(h)ome
Studio idir with Me, Him & Her Design, Peter McKinney and Maura de Mello
Supported transitional homes for care-leavers in the heart of a new West Belfast Community
Rhiz(h)ome provides 12 independent studio apartments with on-site support for 16–18 year olds. Each studio apartment (including couple, sibling and parent-and-baby options) has a kitchen, bathroom and balcony overlooking a plaza or shared courtyard. A variety of follow-on accommodation – including 5-bed houses for shared living and 1 or 2 bed homes for individuals, couples and families – allows for transition to further independence locally. A key element of Rhiz(h)ome is the provision of a multipurpose kitchen and common room, with breakout spaces for groups and individual activities.
The scheme is at the heart of a proposed car free, courtyard-based community land trust neighbourhood masterplanned on a former industrial site by Studio idir in an ongoing competition. The Rhiz(h)ome building is placed centrally, on one side of the neighbourhood’s plaza, facing a hub building containing a library, computer suite, childcare setting and social enterprise café – together offering work experience, community engagement and positive neighbourly connections. The plaza has a sunken skating / biking zone providing safe space for young people in the neighbourhood to hang out.
Rhiz(h)ome has a focus on growing, cooking, eating and learning together, making use of the community garden, communal kitchen, children’s play area and covered outdoor courtyard space where neighbours can gather, share, meet and learn new skills.
Studio idir
Aisling Rusk, Architect (Director)
Katie Stringer Architect
Aisling Madden, Architect
Me, Him and Her Design
Ian Pitt, Creative Director
Peter McKinnney, Smallholder, Writer, Community Sector Consultant
Maura de Mello, Family and Children Services Consultant
