AP+E

Another busy year for AP+E in 2025, looking forward to the same in 2026. Thank you to all our fantastic collaborators and clients.

للغة العربية أنظر التعليق الأول CLUSTER is pleased to have participated in a compact workshop, exploring low-tech climate-adaptive solutions for heating and cooling of buildings, responding to rising temperatures, extreme weather phenomena and increasing energy costs. The workshop, “+ 2,5 Degree City - Lowtech solutions for indoor climate adaptation,” took place on 26-28 November 2025 at the Independent School of the City in Rotterdam. It is part of a longstanding collaboration between CLUSTER, AP+E and Loom, and their research on low-tech climate adaptations for housing in Cairo’s informal neighborhoods, with support of the Creative Industries Fund in the Netherlands.

+2.5° City – Low-Tech Solutions for Indoor Climate Adaptation 🌡 Join us for a three-day workshop , 26–28 November at Independent School for the City! exploring low-tech, affordable, and climate-adaptive solutions for heating and cooling buildings. Lectures and talks by experts of @clustercairo @_appluse and @loom.ooo project visits, and hands-on case studies. As energy costs rise, resources dwindle, and the climate warms, how can we keep our indoor spaces comfortable - fairly and sustainably? 🔗 More info & full program via @school_for_the_city An initiative of the Independent School for the City, in collaboration with IABR, building on insights from Cairo and the Netherlands. Image: Sérgio Rola (Unsplash)

A number of weeks ago we launched Future Ballyboughal - an Action Plan for the village grounded in a deep understanding and appreciation of its unique assets and resources. Working in close collaboration with Prescience, the plan responds to the profound social, economic, and environmental forces shaping the village’s character today and into the future. Reflecting the shared ambitions of residents, the plan envisions a more liveable and vibrant Ballyboughal—enhancing quality of life for all who live, work, and visit the area. Following a series of successful community workshops, the team co-created an Action Plan that promotes sustainable, future-oriented, place-based development. These initiatives aim to foster social wellbeing, economic resilience and diversity, environmental sustainability, and a stronger sense of place. Key spatial proposals include: -Flood prevention measures that also introduce new amenity routes along the river. -A revitalised village heart, designed to calm traffic and create a welcoming public space for gathering and community events. -Support for village spine development, with opportunities for thoughtful new growth and infrastructure. This project was funded by @dublin_rural_leader #ruralregeneration #towncentrefirst #irisharchitecture @ianfrancis6008 @laurence__lord @jeffreybolhuis

اللغة العربية انظر اول تعليق CLUSTER is pleased to announce the conclusion of a four-day workshop from September 14th-18th on “Empowering the Informal City”. CLUSTER organized the workshop in collaboration with @school_for_the_city and @_appluse : Practice for Architecture & Research in the Netherlands/Ireland, as well as @loom.ooo : Practice for cultural transformation in the Netherlands. This research-design-build workshop was an extension to the ongoing research around the same topic, which studied and tested the solar chimney as a potential passive solution to be used in the typical housing units within informal settlements in Cairo, especially with the given rising temperatures. The workshop included 10 local and international participants having both academic and professional backgrounds to investigate possible solutions to improve indoor thermal comfort levels in such housing and climate conditions. Participants grouped to design and build prototypes for 3 different alternatives: 1) a solar chimney enhanced according to the previous research and testing done, 2) a windcatcher, and 3) an evaporative cooling method. The workshop took place at our creative lab in Ard al-Liwa, with the help of our team there as well as the local craftspeople in Ard al-Liwa.

Join us for Design Dialogues on Climate (In)Justice on Thursday, August 28th at @boekmanstichting Amsterdam! 🌍 This symposium brings together designers, architects and cultural organisations from the Netherlands and the African continent to explore how design can contribute to climate justice. Through presentations and panel discussions, we’ll discover diverse design strategies that make climate (in)justice tangible ✨ From future scenarios for a food-sovereign and climate-adaptive Egypt to a ‘game jam’ as a tool for climate dialogue: the eleven projects that received support through our Open Call Climate Justice demonstrate innovative approaches to urgent climate issues. 📅 August 28, 2025 🕐 13:00 - 17:30 CEST (doors open 12:30) 📍 Boekman Foundation, Herengracht 415, Amsterdam 🗣️ Language: English RSVP now on our website! Projects by @lesia.topolnyk , @worm_rotterdam , @lifeandart.io , @radical.data , @internetteapot , De Milagro design, @studio.akeka , @metro54 , @ceciliascolaro , @_appluse , @kantamantosocialclub Talks by @vanvelsenvincent , only_miguel, @dsouzaradha , @dr_misiedjan Image: Office of Life and Art – Mock Wild, Greening & Eating the Nile #climateinjustice #designforsustainability #climateaction #sustainabledesign #inclusivedesign #africandesign #dutchdesign #climatedialogue #designgrant #boekmanstichting

Whoop! We are delighted that The Reason of Towns has won an RIAI Award 2025, in the Research Category! @riaionline To celebrate we share some images of the installation currently on the last three days of its run in The Briggait Glasgow, taken by Peter Molloy @_peter_molloy_ with new graphics by Eamonn Hall of @art_dept_studio all on show as part of @archifringe Our entry was a collaboration between Valerie Mulvin /McCullough Mulvin, AP+E, and IAF. @_appluse @mcculloughmulvinarchitects 
If you have seen the exhibition on its ground-breaking, six stop national, one stop international tour, the research was found in three decades of research on the Irish town being translated and taken to audiences in the form a new, engaging and beautifully designed and built exhibition. Arguably, this is applied research in architecture at its most engaging and accessible From the outset our aim was to present the research already published in Approximate Formality, by Valerie Mulvin, to as wide an audience as possible to ensure that the information, knowledge and architectural expertise therein was widely disseminated. However, the process of curating, producing, designing and delivering an exhibition and making it accessible, engaging and relevant to public and political audiences prompted new research. We are so thrilled that this is the second award for this exhibition from juries of our peers, previously we won an AAI Award in May. @aaiarchitecture The Reason of Towns exhibition is funded by the @artscouncilireland , the Department of @housing.localgov.heritage , and the @deptrcd . The exhibition tour is additionally funded by the Arts Council. The international tour is funded by @cultureireland #ArchitectureExhibition #IrishTowns #ArtsCentres #PublicSpace #ArtsCouncilSupported #IAFTheReasonOfTowns #ArchitectureIreland #RIAIPublicChoice2025

As The Reason of Towns sets sail for @archifringe in Glasgow, we were delighted to learn that the exhibition has been shortlisted in the @riaionline RIAI Awards 2025, in the Research Category. While we wait for the winner to be announced on June 19, you can vote for the exhibition as part of the RIAI Public Choice Award (link in bio). To celebrate we share some images of some brand new prints we have made for Scotland, with drawings by Laurence Lord of AP+E, and photos by Peter Molloy and Ste Murray. Our entry was a collaboration between Valerie Mulvin /McCullough Mulvin, AP+E, and IAF. @_appluse @mcculloughmulvinarchitects 
If you saw the exhibition on its ground-breaking, six stop national tour, or you just want to support three decades of research on the Irish town being translated and taken to audiences in the form a new, engaging and beautifully designed and built exhibition, please consider giving us a vote! (Link in bio). From the outset our aim was to present the research already published in Approximate Formality, by Valerie Mulvin, to as wide an audience as possible to ensure that the information, knowledge and architectural expertise therein was widely disseminated. However, the process of curating, producing, designing and delivering an exhibition and making it accessible, engaging and relevant to public and political audiences prompted new research. We share this nomination with all our venue partners across Ireland and the thousands of people who came out to see the exhibition in 2024 and 2025. The Reason of Towns exhibition is funded by the @artscouncilireland , the Department of @housing.localgov.heritage , and the @deptrcd . The exhibition tour is additionally funded by the Arts Council. The international tour is funded by @cultureireland Credits: 1 - Birr, Co. Offaly, Peter Molloy 2 - Birr, Co. Offaly, AP+E 3 - Birr, Co. Offaly, Peter Molloy 5 - Trim, Co. Meath, Ste Murray 6 - Tour Poster, Eamonn Hall, Art Dept #ArchitectureExhibition #IrishTowns #ArtsCentres #PublicSpace #ArtsCouncilSupported #IAFTheReasonOfTowns #ArchitectureIreland #RIAIPublicChoice2025

We had a busy 2024, looking forward to the same in 2025. A huge thanks to all our fantastic collaborators and clients! @clustercairo @rene_boer_ @mirdelaney @ianfrancis6008 @ianfrancis7486 @tia_livz @tarafitzgeraldkennedy @work_shop_bantry @irisharchitecturefoundation @emmett_scanlon @spaceforms_ltd @art_dept_studio @mcculloughmulvinarchitects @nationalmuseumofireland @african_futures_institute @alucidwake @fingalcountycouncil @dlrcoco.ie @qub.arch @interiors.buildings.cities @architecture.rietveld @jeffreybolhuis @laurence__lord

AP+E (@_appluse ) has been selected in our Open Call Climate Justice 🎉 This open call is for collaborative projects on climate justice with partners based in countries in Africa. Through 'Empowering the Informal City', AP+E is partnering with @clustercairo and @rene_boer_ to create a more equitable living environment for residents of Cairo's informal settlements. The project empowers local communities by co-developing climate-adaptive solutions for neo-vernacular housing. Through a combination of research, participatory methods, and prototyping, residents are equipped with tools to address local needs and prepare for the impacts of Egypt's climate crisis. Additionally, the project develops frameworks to facilitate dialogue between communities and authorities at both systemic and policy levels. Curious about other projects selected for this open call? Check the news item on our website about the full selection ✨

CLUSTER (Cairo), AP+E, and Studio René Boer (Amsterdam) are proud to announce that their joint design-build project “Community Care Vehicle” is being displayed at the Urban Expo during the World Urban Forum 12. The project intends to improve the quality of transportation of patients in non-critical conditions and wheelchair users, in an attempt to integrate and complement the formal institutional system with local practices. You are invited to join the panel discussion on Friday, November 8th, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, which will include representatives from the design team, manufacturers, a local NGO to operate it, as well as the supporting partner, the Creative Industries Fund NL. In addition to challenges facing design and implementation issues, the panel addresses institutional and legal frameworks to bridge the gap between international codes and informal practices. يتشرف مختبر عمران القاهرة للتصميم والدراسات (CLUSTER) بالشراكة مع استديو (René Boer) واستديو (AP+E) فى أمستردام بالإعلان عن إطلاق مشروعهم المشترك لتصميم وتنفيذ نموذج تجريبى "لسيارة الرعاية المجتمعية" فى اكسبو العمران خلال المنتدى الحضري العالمي الثاني عشر. يهدف المشروع إلى تحسين جودة نقل المرضى من الحالات غير الحرجة وكذلك نقل مستخدمي الكراسي المتحركة، في محاولة للتكامل بين المنظومة المؤسسية مع الممارسات المحلية غير الرسمية. يشرفنا دعوتكم لحضور ندوة نقاشية حول المشروع يوم الجمعة 8 نوفمبر من الساعة 11:30 صباحًا حتى 12:30 ظهرًا، والتي ستضم ممثلين من فريق التصميم والمصنعين والمنظمة غير حكومية المحلية المنوطة بالتشغيل، بالإضافة إلى الشريك الداعم، صندوق الصناعات الإبداعية الهولندي. تتناول الندوة النقاشية الأطر المؤسسية والقانونية التى تسعى لسد الفجوة بين المعايير الدولية والممارسات غير الرسمية بالإضافة إلى التعرف على التحديات التي واجهت التصميم والتنفيذ.

ANNOUNCEMENT: From October 24th, The Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) is proud to present to public audiences three new exhibitions – A Lot With Little, BenchMark and On Rest. These join a fourth exhibition already installed, The Reason of Towns, an exhibition with Valerie Mulvin, which together anchor This is Where We Are Now, a season of architecture events examining the state of our place with exhibitions, films, symposia, and talks proudly presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation. All exhibitions are open to audiences for free for five weeks from October 24th – December 1st at our temporary venue at Charlemont Walk, D2. If you wish to come and visit us at Charlemont Walk and see what is on show, here is a link to a map in our bio. Our venue is situated just 3 minutes walk from the Green Luas Line stop at Harcourt. Opening Hours – Bank Holiday Weekend * Friday 25.10 – 11am – 5pm * Saturday 26.10 – 11am – 5pm * Sunday 27.10 – 11am – 5pm * Monday 28.10 – 11am – 5pm Our next featured exhibition is The Reason of Towns. Making its first and only scheduled stop in Dublin, The Reason of Towns, an exhibition with architect Valerie Mulvin is an exhibition based on thirty years of work on the subject by one of Ireland’s most respected architects. While on tour across Ireland in 2024 the exhibition has prompted local debate and discussion on history, heritage and how towns can be sustained into the future as viable places to live into the next century. Exhibition Design by AP+E, Laurence Lord, Jeffrey Bolhuis Visual Identity and Design by ART DEPT, Eamonn Hall Exhibition Build and Installation by Space Forms, Sara Murphy, Frank Prendergast Film – “The Space is the Thing” produced by Red Pepper Productions, Martin Danneels, Geoff Power Film – “Of Pride and Place” produced by Areaman, Shane Hogan Film – Interview with Valerie Mulvin and Vincent Woods produced by Areaman, Shane Hogan #IAFThisIsWhereWeAreNow #IAFTheReasonOfTowns