Dublin-based architect Tom de Paor was named in London last night as Young Architect of the Year 2003 following a worldwide competition organised by Building Design magazine.
The jury, chaired by Richard Feilden, was convinced by de Paor's "understated, playful, suggestive, funny and profound" work, and unanimously agreed that he should be awarded the title, plus a prize of £5,000.
"In a sense, Tom offered us a relatively traditional view of the architect's role, but his beautifully executed work created memorable forms and places which promise great prospects for the future," Mr Feilden said.
Mr de Paor formed his practice in 1992 after winning a competition for a visitor centre at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig, Co Cork. His Irish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2000 was constructed of peat briquettes.
De Paor Architects made its name in Britain for a series of artistic flourishes along a 6km stretch of the A13 road in Dagenham, east London, including a geometric assembly of 76 blue lights at one of its roundabouts.
The practice, which is based in a studio off the North Circular Road in Dublin, is currently working on a redesign of the seafront promenade in Clontarf and a complex of new buildings for the Camphill community in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
The Young Architect of the Year award was launched six years ago to find the best architects aged 35 and under from all over the world and is the only competition of its kind. De Paor Architects were among five shortlisted for the 2003 award.
The runners-up were London-based FAT and Patterns, a practice led by Argentinian architect Marcelo Spina in Los Angeles; London's Piercy Connor and Urban Future Organisation, which has offices in London, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands.
A further 10 entries were commended, with a special commendation going to Hollmen Reuter Sandman Architects from Finland. All are profiled alongside the shortlist in a special supplement published in the current issue of Building Design
