2020 Irish Architecture Awards Celebrate Irish Design at Home and Abroad

View the 2020 RIAI Awards Shortlist.

The winners of the 2020 RIAI Architecture Awards were announced on the RIAI Website on 22 October 2020. The awards celebrate work carried out by members of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) members, both in Ireland and overseas, in 2019 and highlight the contribution that architects make to society for everyone’s benefit.

The prestigious architecture awards were first established in 1989 to celebrate excellence in the built environment and the work of RIAI-registered architects. This year, the RIAI announced 12 Award Winners across 11 categories, including Adaption & Re-Use, Conservation, International, Learning Environments, Living (Homes), Public Space, Well-Being and Workplace.

All of the projects on the shortlist have been designed by RIAI-registered architects, based in Ireland and overseas, and were completed in 2019. The award winners include projects in Dublin, Cork, Connemara, Drogheda, London and Paris.

The conversion of an historic building on Dawson Street to both residential and commercial use by Paul Keogh Architects, was the winner in the Adaptation and Re-use category while the restoration of Leinster House by the Office of Public Works Architectural Services received the top award in the Conservation category. The Living category saw awards going to a coach house renovation by Culligan Architects, and a house on the Connemara coastline by A2 Architects. The transformation of the South Presentation Convent site in Cork, winner in the Urban Design category, was described by the judges as ‘an exemplar urban renewal project’. Woodruff Restaurant in South County Dublin, where the ‘architect inventively and sensitively used a modest budget’ won the Fit-Out/Workplace category, with the Candle Community, a therapeutic space for young people in Ballyfermot, winning the Wellbeing Category.

Grafton Architects were double award-winners in both the Learning Environment category for their work on the Toulouse School of Economics as well as the International category for Institut Mines-Telecom, outside Paris. The Sustainability award was given to McGurk Architects and Cullinan Studio for their work on the Bunhill 2 Energy Centre, a world-first scheme in Islington, London, that uses waste heat from the London Underground to warm homes, leisure centres and a school.

The RIAI Public Choice Award was announced in June. The winning submission which received over 12,000 votes, was Tooting Meadow, a development of 15 high quality homes for the elderly and families. The housing scheme, designed for the North and East Housing Association, was developed on a brown-field, infill derelict site, in Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Ciaran O’Connor, RIAI President said: “Architects bring insight and understanding to a project, ensuring that not only is it aesthetically pleasing but also functional, addressing the client need, both now and into the future. The shortlist of entries for this year’s awards demonstrates both the scope and scale of projects being delivered by RIAI members, all of which combine creativity and a commitment to quality design. I’m delighted to see the restoration of Leinster House as a category winner, a project that was undertaken by my colleagues in the OPW. Quality design must be at the heart of our public spaces and buildings and in the protection and enhancement of our cultural heritage.”

Liam Tuite, FRIAI, Chair of the Jury said: “The jury had a challenging task to pick winners in each category. The shortlist was made up of exceptional projects including residential homes, commercial spaces, a youth centre, heritage locations and public spaces. It is not easy to put yourself forward to be judged by a panel of your peers and I’d like to thank both my colleagues in the profession and their clients for sharing with us all of these wonderful projects. All of the submissions received underline the value that Irish people place on quality design in our build environment.”

The RIAI Awards Jury consists of Registered Architects and a distinguished guest juror. The Jury for the RIAI Irish Architecture Awards 2020 are: Liam Tuite, FRIAI (Chairperson); Eugene Downes, Cultural Director, DFAT (Distinguished Guest Juror); Susan Dawson, MRIAI; Ailish Drake, MRIAI; Rachel Dudley, MRIAI; David Magennis, MRIAI; Orla O’Callaghan, FRIAI; Michael Pike, MRIAI; Sally Starbuck MRIAI; Gavin Wheatley, MRIAI.

The RIAI Awards are supported by Category Sponsors: Dulux Trade Ireland – RIAI Workplace and Fit-Out Award; Enterprise Ireland – RIAI International Award; Equitone – RIAI Sustainability Award; Kilsaran – RIAI Learning Environments Award; Kingscourt Brick of Kingscourt Country Manor Bricks – RIAI Adaptation and Re-Use Award; The Arup Trust – RIAI Research Award; and Vandersanden of Kingscourt Country Manor Bricks – RIAI Living Award.

 

 

The RIAI Award Winners 2020

Adaptation and Re-use Supported by Kingscourt Brick   
Winner: 51A, B & C Dawson Street
Architect: Paul Keogh Architects
Client: FL Partners

Conservation Supported by Kingscourt Brick  
Winner: Historic Leinster House
Architect: Office of Public Works Architectural Services
Client: Office of Public Works
Location: Dublin 2

International – Supported by Enterprise Ireland 
Winner: Operation Paris Saclay pour l’Institut Mines-Télécom
Architect: Grafton Architects
Client: Institut Mines-Télécom
Location: Palaiseau, France

Learning Environments Supported by Kilsaran 
Winner: Toulouse School of Economics
Architect: Grafton Architects
Client: Université Toulouse Capitole
Location: Toulouse, France

Living – Supported by Vandersanden 
Winner: A House, Coach House & Garden
Architect: Culligan Architects
Client: Private
Location: County Dublin 

Living – Supported by Vandersanden
Winner: In, On and Over the Earth
Architect: A2 Architects
Client: Private
Location: Clifden, Galway

Research – Supported by Arup  
Winner: Free Market
Architect: The Free Market Team
Client: Culture Ireland / Arts Council / Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht / Creative Ireland
Location: Nationally

Urban Design and Masterplanning 
Winner: Nano Nagle Place – Masterplan for South Presentation Convent, Cork
Architect: JCA Architects
Client: South Presentation Centre Company Limited
Location: Cork City

Sustainability - Supported by Equitone
Winner: Bunhill 2 Energy Centre
Architect: McGurk Architects and Cullinan Studio
Client: Islington Borough Council
Location: Islington, London

Wellbeing 
Winner: Candle Community
Architect: McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Client: Candle Community Trust
Location: Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
 

Workplace and Fit-Out – Supported by Dulux Trade 
Winner: Woodruff Restaurant
Architect: Stephen Mulhall, nineteeneighty studio
Client: Colm Maguire, Woodruff Restaurant
Location: Stepaside, Co. Dublin

Public Choice Award
Winner: Tooting Meadow
Architect: McKevitt King Architects
Client: North and East Housing Association
Location: Drogheda, Co. Louth

Highly Commended/Commended/Shortlisted

ADAPTATION AND RE-USE

Highly Commended
Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
Architect: Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Client: University College Dublin

Highly Commended
Kylemore Abbey Interpretation Project
Architect: Axo Architects
Client: Kylemore Abbey and Gardens Limited

Shortlisted
Roe and Co Distillery
Architect: RKD Architects
Client: Diageo Ireland

CONSERVATION

Highly Commended
Uncovered Facade
Architect: Darmody Architecture in association with Conservation Architect, Michael T. Breen
Client: Ryan's Pub

Commended
St. Bartholomew’s Church
Architect: Howley Hayes Architects
Client: The Select Vestry of St Bartholomew's Church

CULTURAL / PUBLIC

Shortlisted
Davagh Forest Observatory
Architect: ARCEN Architects
Client: Mid Ulster District Council

Shortlisted
Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI)
Architect: Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Client: University College Dublin
 

INTERNATIONAL

Commended
Bunhill 2 Energy Centre
Architect: Cullinan Studio and McGurk Architects
Client: Islington Borough Council

LEARNING

Highly Commended
Sandford Park Schoolhouse - Le Peton Centre
Architect: O'Donnell + Tuomey
Client: Sandford Park School

Highly Commended
Scoil Mhuire
Architect: SJK Architects
Client: Board of Management - Scoil Mhuire

Commended
Whispering House - St. Columba’s College
Architect: Coady Architects
Client: St. Columba's College

Shortlisted
Trinity Business School
Architect: Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Client: Trinity College Dublin

LIVING

Highly Commended
Pavilion House
Architect: Robert Bourke Architects
Client: Private

Commended
Blackrock House
Architect: Scullion Architects
Client: Private

Highly Commended (House Extension)
Marino Park
Architect: Ryan W. Kennihan Architects
Client: Adrian Mullins

Highly Commended (House Extension)
Kenilworth Park
Architect: Ryan W. Kennihan Architects
Client: Private

Highly Commended (House Extension)
Mount Prospect
Architect: GKMP Architects
Client: Private

Highly Commended ( House Extension)
Rear Return
Architect: A2 Architects
Client: Private

Highly Commended (Housing)
Rosemount Court
Architect: Design: DLR Architects - Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Architects Department Enabling Walsh Associates Architects
Client: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Commended
Marianella (Housing)
Architect: O'Mahony Pike Architects
Client: Cairn Homes

Commended (Housing) 
Tooting Meadow
Architect: McKevitt King Architects
Client: North and East Housing Association

Shortlisted (Housing)
2 x Brick Houses
Architect: LUCA Architecture
Client: Elgin Capital

RESEARCH

Commended
Fernhill Creative Play
Architect: Architectural Farm
Client: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

SUSTAINABILITY

Highly Commended
Trinity Business School
Architect: Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Client: Trinity College Dublin

Commended
Rochestown House Phase III
Architect: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Architects Department - DLR Architects
Client: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

URBAN DESIGN

Commended
Kildare Town Renewal
Architect: Metropolitan Workshop
Client: Kildare County Council

WELLBEING

Shortlisted
Eden One
Architect: Plus Architecture
Client: Charlie Bourne, Eden Fitness

WORKPLACE/FIT-OUT

Highly Commended (Workplace)
IDA Global Headquarters
Architect: MOLA Architecture
Client: Irish Development Authority (IDA)

Commended (Fit-Out)
Cork Butter Museum Fit Out
Architect: DATUM Architecture Studio & Stephen Foley Architects
Client: Cork Butter Museum CLG

Commended (Workplace)
Office in the Trees
Architect: LUCA Architecture
Client: Hibernia Reit PLC

Shortlisted
51A, B & C Dawson Street
Architect: Paul Keogh Architects
Client: FL Partners

 

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