| The IPBN is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland under the ESP Grant programme |
Housing is no longer just a market issue — it has become one of Europe’s defining social, economic, and political priorities. From affordability pressures to climate resilience, the way we design, build, and live in our homes is under increasing scrutiny. Recent extreme weather events have only intensified this urgency, highlighting the need for housing that is not only accessible, but durable, efficient, and future-ready.
It is no coincidence that Lisbon was selected by the European Commission as the stage to unveil the European Plan for Affordable Housing earlier this year. The message was clear: housing must be treated as a fundamental right, and solving the challenge will require coordinated action across sectors — from policymakers and engineers to investors, designers, and innovators.
Against this backdrop, the Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN) will host a timely and important event, “Housing After the Storm: Regulation, Resilience & Sustainable Living,” on April 30 at the Engineers Hub in Lisbon. Bringing together voices from across the housing value chain, the event aims to explore what comes next — and how Ireland–Portugal collaboration can contribute to smarter, more sustainable housing solutions.
While much of the housing conversation focuses on policy and finance, the second panel turns attention to where these decisions ultimately land: the home itself.
“Sustainable, Cost-Effective & Human-Centred Living” will explore how innovation in construction, energy systems, and interior design can fundamentally reshape what housing delivers — not just in terms of cost, but in quality of life. The discussion will examine how we can create homes that are efficient, resilient, and genuinely liveable, without sacrificing affordability.
This panel brings together three distinct yet complementary perspectives:
Christopher Garner, Founder of Eco Dome Homes, is known for challenging conventional approaches to building. His work focuses on developing housing that is not only cost-effective, but engineered for extreme durability and long-term sustainability.
Through innovations such as monolithic construction, his approach replaces traditional building methods with structures designed to withstand climate volatility while dramatically improving energy efficiency. Garner’s philosophy is rooted in simplicity, resilience, and human-centred performance — rethinking housing not as a short-term asset, but as long-term infrastructure for living.
From the perspective of energy systems, Roland Kern, Co-Owner of Redwellstore Iberia, will highlight how heating and energy solutions play a critical role in both affordability and sustainability.
Representing advanced infrared heating technology, Kern brings insight into how energy-efficient systems can reduce consumption, simplify installation, and improve overall comfort. As energy costs remain a key factor in housing affordability, solutions that combine efficiency with design flexibility are becoming increasingly central to the conversation.
Completing the panel is Sandra Nascimento, founder of SAL Home & Living, who brings a human-centred design perspective shaped by decades of experience in editorial and interior styling.
Her work focuses on creating spaces that are not only aesthetically compelling, but functional, adaptable, and reflective of how people actually live. By combining curated design with practical solutions, she demonstrates how thoughtful interiors can transform homes without requiring extensive structural changes — an important consideration in both new builds and renovations.
The discussion will be moderated by Rachael Milne of Rachael Milne Consulting, guiding a conversation that bridges perspectives from Ireland and Portugal.
Together, the panel will explore how collaboration across disciplines — and across borders — can help deliver housing that meets the demands of a rapidly changing world.
As Europe faces mounting housing challenges, the need for integrated, forward-thinking solutions has never been greater. Panel 2 of this event underscores a critical point: the future of housing is not just about building more — it’s about building better.
By bringing together expertise in construction innovation, energy efficiency, and human-centred design, this session offers practical insights into how homes can become more sustainable, more affordable, and more aligned with the realities of modern living.
The event will conclude with a Q&A session, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and deepen the conversation.
With contributors from both Ireland and Portugal, this event presents a unique platform for sharing ideas, exchanging expertise, and building partnerships that can help address one of Europe’s most pressing challenges.
The IPBN invites members, partners, and stakeholders across housing, construction, sustainability, and investment to take part in this important conversation — and to help shape what comes next for housing in Europe. Register here today.
| The IPBN is supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland under the ESP Grant programme |
