Irish Architecture Awards shortlist announced

The controversial new library at Dún Laoghaire and the restoration of St Mel's Cathedral are among the projects shortlisted for this year's Irish Architecture Awards.

Dublin's Rosie Hackett Bridge, the Dalkey Heritage Centre and the Pavilion of Light at Mardyke Gardens in Cork have also been nominated.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland’s (RIAI) Public Choice Award will give the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite shortlisted project which will be named Ireland’s favourite building in 2015.

A total of 36 projects are shortlisted.

Since it was first conceived in 2006, the dlr LexIcon library, designed by Carr Cotter & Naessens, has divided opinion in the borough with some criticising it as overbearing and inappropriate. The €30 million price tag has also been criticised though others believe it is the most significant building in Dún Laoghaire for a century.

By contrast the €30 million restoration of St Mel’s Cathedral in Longford has been widely praised. The cathedral was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day 2009.

The €13.5 million Rosie Hackett Bridge, the 21st bridge across the River Liffey, was designed by Seán Harrington Architects. It was opened in May this year.

The €1.9 million Doolin Coast Guard station, which was opened in March, is nominated along with the University of Greenwich: Library and Academic Building.

Though based in London the €100 million building is included because it was designed by Dublin-based architects Heneghan Peng.

The €2.3 million Pavilion of Light, a curved white bandstand, is the only project from Cork to make it to the final list.

This year’s awards received 120 entries across 16 categories, including best commercial, best educational and best health building, best house, best house extension and best housing project, best public building, best international project, best sustainable project and best universal design.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 18th in the Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8.

For more information and to vote for the Public Choice Award, please visit www.riai.ie.