WITH ARCHITECTS avid for work and construction costs dropping it’s a good time to extend. So why not sound out a designer and help the Simon Community at the same time.

This year’s Simon Open Door Day gives participants an hour with an architect for €75. This goes to the Simon Communities of Ireland to support those with no home. Hundreds of architectural practices countrywide are taking part in the even on March 7th, and you can book your consultation on www.simonopendoor.ie. They hope to raise €50,000, at a time when the number of homeless people is on the rise. “Architects can bring their creative design flair and technical experience to bear on projects of all shapes and sizes,” says architect Angela Brady.