Apartment Design Standards 2025: Why They Matter for Building Real Value
2‑minute read
What Changed
In early July 2025, Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published Design Standards for Apartments - Guidelines for Planning Authorities, replacing earlier guidance (including the July 2023 update) Governed by Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act, these updated standards apply universally to all apartment developments, including Build‑to‑Rent, student, and co‑living projects, and emphasize a refined regulatory balance between viability and quality.
Key updates include:
- Minimum Unit Sizes: Studio units now require a minimum of 32 m² (down from ~37 m²), and 3‑bed (4-person)units must now meet 76 m² – new typologies introduced. Other unit types follow revised thresholds based on occupancy needs.
- Dual-Aspect Ratios: Reduced to 25% of units overall, with relaxed requirements in infill/refurbishment schemes (down from 33–50%)
- Core and Circulation: Previous restrictions on lift and stair numbers per core have been removed, offering greater layout flexibility
- Amenity Spaces: Private and communal amenity requirements (balconies, shared greenery) can now be scaled flexibly depending on site context, design quality, and constraints.
- Other Relaxations: Adjusted guidance on separations between opposing windows (now 16 m instead of 22 m) and more nuanced parking, bicycle storage (1 per bedroom), and refuse management standards
These guidelines seek to balance the imperative of delivering increased housing supply with sustained quality, economic viability, and the objectives of compact urban growth under Ireland’s updated National Planning Framework (gov.ie+2Opr+2)
What It Means for Property Building
The 2025 standards reflect a strategic readjustment, not a rollback to foster affordability while ensuring acceptable design outcomes.
- Viability & Scalability: Smaller studio sizes and relaxed dual-aspect mandates reduce per-unit construction cost and improve density potential.
- Design Quality Retained: Relaxations apply contextually; high-quality layouts, natural light, and amenity access remain central objectives.
- Increased Flexibility: Developers can adapt block layouts more freely, especially in urban infill or refurbishment contexts, without being constrained by earlier rigid ratios.
Why It Matters for SingleStep
We’ve always prioritized liveability and longevity over minimum specs:
- Our designs have exceeded earlier standards, now they align formally with the new benchmarks.
- Project sequences already embed spec compliance; the more streamlined guidelines help remove friction in planning and delivery.
- Lower upfront costs and smarter layouts enhance affordability for residents while preserving long-term asset value and exit potential.
Conclusion
The 2025 Apartment Design Standards are not a compromise, they’re an evolution. They support meaningful densification and cost-effective housing delivery without sacrificing design integrity. For tenants, investors, and cities alike, that's a significant step forward.
If you’re navigating these changes or planning your next development, let’s start a conversation. Together, we can build homes that matter.
