An extension to a Killarney hostel has been awarded the Best Commercial Building 2015 at the Brick Awards in London which recognise design and construction.

The Haven in Killarney won the award, according to the judges, for a “truly disciplined building which works at all levels” that fits in to the surrounding medieval street pattern “using a clean modernism to impose order and structure”.

Created by Gottstein Architects, which has offices in Dublin and Kerry, the design objective was to reinforce the communal and social aspects of the hostel by introducing an entrance foyer and covered gathering space that opens onto a new south-facing courtyard.

These interventions were designed to enable groups of travellers to interact and creates a social hub in the centre of this urban block.

The brickwork was used to provide a warm, textured and durable backdrop to the public and private spaces of the hostel.

Now in its 39th year, the Brick Awards is one of the longest and most widely respected design and construction awards in the UK.