Irish architects triumphed in Berlin last night, receiving two prizes from their international peers at the World Congress of Architecture.
The Group '91 architects behind the redevelopment of Temple Bar were presented with an award for "giving the streets back to the pedestrians". Mr Justin Kilcullen, the director of Trócaire, was honoured for "improving the quality of human settlements".
The awards were presented by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA), which represents 200,000 architects worldwide. Its jury praised Group '91 for "10 years of intensive work, developing a subtle awareness of the spirit of the Temple Bar district" and a successful partnership with Dublin city authorities.
"Inner courtyards were opened for many uses: entertainment, open-air activities, gastronomy and urban life, so that the population could renew its ties with the city's history."
Representing Group '91 at last night's award ceremony were Ms Rachel Chidlow, Mr Derek Tynan, Mr Shane O'Toole and Mr Paul Keogh. "When you look for Ireland in the index of books about 20th-century architecture, there's normally a blank," Mr O'Toole said. "We have made sure that won't happen in the 21st century."
Mr Keogh praised Temple Bar Properties for "encouraging contemporary architecture instead of historical pastiche" and for taking a chance on "a group of unknown architects".
"Working on Temple Bar has been fantastic for all the architects involved," he told The Irish Times yesterday. "We have all grown and developed and the public has recognised our work. It's nice now to get this seal of approval."
However, the Group '91 architects said they were "deeply concerned" about the future of Temple Bar. The build-up of rubbish, the increasing numbers of unmaintained buildings and the general decay was driving the area "rapidly downhill", they said.
"It's quite clear that it is a rudderless ship down there now and Dublin City Council and Temple Bar Properties are equally to blame," said Mr O'Toole. "The place needs to be taken by the scruff of the neck and given a good shake."
The group were presented with the Sir Patrick Abercrombie prize, named after the former UIA president who drew up two master plans for Dublin and designed Griffith Avenue.
Mr Kilcullen of Trócaire was recognised for what the jury called "his exceptional work in the struggle against poverty" as an architect and town planner.
"The solutions he offers are based on an assessment of the economic and social causes of poverty and are always the result of dialogue with the members of the community concerned," the jury said.
The Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland nominated the architects for the awards.
Mr John Graby, the director of the RIAI, said the success was a "reflection of the high standard, creativity and vibrancy evident in Irish architecture today. Both awards reflect the importance of community, ensuring that the built environment suits the needs of its users and that it allows people to live, work, or socialise within their own local area."
