Architectural Association of Ireland Awards 2020

The Architectural Association of Ireland (AAI) Awards presentation took place in the RIAI on the 26 February. A special mention goes to the Downes Medalist, Grafton Architects for their impressive tour de force in Toulouse.

The purpose of the AAI awards is to encourage higher standards of architecture throughout Ireland and to inform the public of emerging directions in contemporary architecture. A select jury chose a diverse range of significant projects for awards; a university on a plateau in Paris, a travelling activation for Irish market towns, a domestic masterwork built around an Ash tree, an exemplary vernacular art space on an Aran Island, a piece of new urban fabric in Limerick and an affordable rapid-build social housing scheme in Dun Laoghaire. Special mentions were also given to a rural housing typology in Kerry, an enchanting suburban youth centre in Ballyfermot, a refined farmhouse refurbishment in Meath and an urban garden retreat in Ranelagh. Each project made their own statement on the definition of quality in architecture.

There will be an extended exhibition of selected projects to help promote this kind of emerging work to the public and board collection will be available between 18 - 20 March at the RIAI.

Downes Medal

Toulouse School of Economics by Grafton Architects

Awards

Operation Paris Saclay pour l’Institut Mines-Télécom by Grafton Architects
George’s Place, Dun Laoghaire by DLR Architects and A2 Architects
The Hanging Gardens by Carr Cotter Naessens and Denis Byrne Architects
Art Room, Coláiste Naomh Éinne, Inis Mór by Paul Dillon Architects
Ash House by Sketch Architects
Free Market

Special Mentions

Candle Community by McGarry Ní Éanaigh Architects
Kearney House by Broadstone Architects
House at Dunmaniheen by Gottstein Architects
Music Room by Donaghy + Dimond Architects

Assesors

Critic: Catherine Slessor
Irish Architects: Peter Cody and Gráinne Shaffrey
International Architect: Giulia Vallone
Non-Architect: Lytle Shaw

Awards Committee

Deirdre Spring, David McInerney and Séamus Bairéad