Architectural Blueprint for Developing a Domestic Violence Refuge

In addition to establishment of a new statutory Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) Agency, a key action to be delivered under Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on DSGBV is increasing the number of refuge spaces available in Ireland. The Implementation Plan to the Third National Strategy commits to publishing guidance on a design approach for developing a refuge.

A suite of three documents has been developed as a ‘blueprint’ for developing a refuge. The three parts are:

Part A: A guide aimed at groups or organisations considering the development of a refuge.

Part B: Project brief guidelines drawn up by architects in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Part C: The report ‘Safe Place: Designing Centres for Domestic Violence Prevention and Response' created by the organisation Safe Ireland.

These are intended to be 'living documents' which can be updated to reflect the evolving refuge accommodation landscape. You can access the most up to date versions of these documents below.