Building Stories Initiative Launches Living Labs to Tackle Housing Crisis

A new phase of the Building Stories initiative is set to address critical housing issues in Ireland with the launch of Living Labs. Announced on July 24, 2025, this project, in collaboration with Monaghan and Cork City Councils, aims to confront pressing challenges, including the housing crisis, carbon emissions from construction, and the decline of town centres.

Funded by €690,000 through the National Challenge Fund’s OurTech Challenge, Building Stories brings together a diverse team of 12 researchers specializing in architecture, planning, computer science, and data governance. Their goal is to develop an AI-powered geospatial platform designed for leaders in housing and planning policy. The initiative is spearheaded by Dr. Philip Crowe, Dr. Gavin McArdle, and Dr. Rob Brennan, and is affiliated with the UCD Centre for Irish Towns (CfIT) and the Adapt centre for digital content research.

In a statement, Dr. Crowe emphasized the initiative’s mission: “With Building Stories, we aim to give local authorities, national agencies, and communities a new lens through which to understand vacancy, with data that can assist in good decision making and more efficient management of the built environment.” The project aims to create a secure and robust geospatial model that integrates diverse proxy datasets, satellite imagery, and advanced machine learning. This innovative approach will dynamically predict the vacancy status of buildings across Ireland.

Currently, Ireland lacks a reliable and up-to-date database on vacancy at the granular level of individual buildings and sites. Dr. Crowe noted, “Building Stories aims to provide this data and unlock the more efficient reuse of vacant properties towards better housing delivery, reduction of carbon emissions, and the sustainable revitalisation of towns.”

Testing for the project is set to commence in summer 2025, specifically in Living Labs located in Monaghan Town and Cork City. These labs will integrate data modelling with citizen science to validate insights and incorporate local knowledge, ensuring that community input plays a vital role in the project’s development.

Since its inception in 2023, Building Stories has been scaling its impact. The initiative continues to grow by refining its model in collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders throughout Ireland. By fostering open collaboration, engaging with citizens, and adhering to principles of data transparency and governance, the project aligns with EU data and AI regulations. Additionally, it supports Ireland’s goal to become a leader in the ethical advancement of a digital society.

As the Building Stories initiative moves forward, it holds the promise of transforming the landscape of housing and urban planning in Ireland, contributing to the sustainable development of communities while addressing some of the most critical issues of our time.