RIAI Announces 2012 Irish Architecture Awards
Published: Thursday, June 21, 2012
The RIAI announced the 2012 Irish Architecture Awards on 21 June at the Woodquay venue, Dublin City Council. There were 13 Awards across a diverse range of categories, which are featured on the Irish Architecture Awards website. Earlier that day, the Engineering Building NUIG was the winner of the Public Choice Award.
House at Bogwest by Steve Larkin Architects won the award for Best House, while the practice also won this year's 'Best Emerging Practice Award'. Butterfly House by LiD Architecture won for Best House Extension.
A part of Irish design will be present at this year’s London Olympics through award winning Best International Project, Central Park Bridge, London 2012, by Heneghan Peng Architects.
An extension to Scoil Mhuire Ógh, Loreto Senior Primary School in Dublin 12, by Mary Laheen Architects was recognised for creating the Best Educational Building. The Lyric Theatre in Belfast, designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey took home the trophy for Best Cultural Building.
Michelle Fagan, President of the RIAI, commented, “The continuing interest in the Public Choice Award shows that architecture is for everyone. The importance of good design on even the smallest of projects can have a significant impact and can create something beyond the client’s expectations. The buildings that have been recognised through the Architecture Awards prove that architecture can deliver something that is not only functional and beautiful but also add real value. This is why the role of an architect is so crucial to every single building project.”
Eddie Conroy, Chairperson of the Judging Panel, said, “Despite a continuing decline in construction output, this year 120 entries were received with 34 projects being short-listed. No two projects are ever the same and this reflects the continuing strong diversity we see within Irish architecture. This year’s entries clearly demonstrate the prevailing excellence of Irish architects working at all scales and in a variety of contexts – from accomplished school extensions to landmark civic offices and internationally acclaimed cultural institutions.”
Fagan added, “Creating a building is an extremely complex process and so many parties are involved in delivering it from the client to builders to subcontractors and health and safety as well as managing planning and environmental regulations. Architects are the only professionals who can bring all these strands together and deliver a result. It is their ability to do this skilfully as well as design beautiful buildings that we are celebrating tonight.”
Full coverage on the awards is on the awards website
Architecture Ireland will publish a feature on the Awards in its forthcoming issue AI 263.
Winners of the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2012
|
CATEGORY |
NAME OF PROJECT |
ARCHITECT |
|
Best Conservation/Restoration Project |
Monaghan Courthouse |
OPW Architectural Services |
|
Best Culture Project |
Lyric Theatre Belfast |
O'Donnell + Tuomey |
|
Best Educational Project |
New Extension to Primary School for Girls |
Mary Laheen Architects |
|
Best Health Project |
Dublin Dental Hospital |
McCullough Mulvin Architects |
|
Best House |
House at Bogwest |
Steve Larkin Architects |
|
Best House Extension |
Butterfly House |
LiD Architecture |
|
Best Housing (more than one unit) |
Sean Treacy House |
Paul Keogh Architects |
|
Best Leisure Project |
Tropical Biome, Leipzig |
Henchion Reuter Architects |
|
Best Public Building |
Wexford County Council Headquarters |
Robin Lee Architecture in association with Arthur Gibney & Partners |
|
Best Public Space/Urban Design |
The Metals Project, Phase 1 |
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Architects Department. |
|
International |
Central Park Bridge London 2012 |
Heneghan Peng architects |
|
Best Sustainable Project |
Engineering Building NUI Galway |
Taylor Architects/RMJM |
|
Emerging Practice Award |
Emerging Practice |
Steve Larkin Architects |
About the RIAI
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is the Regulatory and Support body for architects in Ireland. We have over 3,000 members, including 2,600 architects on the statutory register and architectural technologists. There are also 500 registered architectural practices. To check if your architect is registered and legally entitled to use the title ‘architect’, go to www.riai.ie
The RIAI works to maintain and develop an environment in which good architecture and a quality built environment can be designed by architects to the social, cultural, economic and environmental benefit of Ireland. Throughout the year, we organise a wide range of public events including lectures, exhibitions and the popular Simon Open Door initiative. Why not stay in touch by signing up to our free public newsletter on www.riai.ie or follows us on Facebook and Twitter @RIAIOnline.
Categories: Architecture | Awards
