Tributes paid to eminent architect Arthur Gibney

Tributes have been paid to the award-winning and renowned architect Dr Arthur Gibney, who has died at the age of 73 after a sudden…

Tributes have been paid to the award-winning and renowned architect Dr Arthur Gibney, who has died at the age of 73 after a sudden illness.

The former president of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) and president of the Royal Hibernian Academy is survived by his wife Phyllis and son John.

RIAI director John Graby yesterday described Dr Gibney as one of the most significant Irish architects of the 20th century.

His technical and artistic ability added to his historical architecture research and conservation work made him worthy of the title of "complete architect", according to Mr Graby.

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"He is a great loss to us all. He has been one of the most important figures in Irish architecture and was both a charming and generous person.

"He was indeed a unique figure and will be missed both as an architect and as a person," said Mr Graby.

In 1974, Dr Gibney received the RIAI Triennial Gold Medal, which is the premier award for architecture in Ireland, for his work on the Irish Management Institute.

Stephen McKenna of the Royal Hibernian Academy said that Dr Gibney was "a man of many parts" due to his work as architect, painter, sculptor, historian, academic and president of the Royal Hibernian Academy until October 2005.

"The academy owes him an incalculable debt. The nine years of his presidency saw the transformation of the institution from a quiet backwater to a vital part of the visual arts in Dublin," said Mr McKenna.

He added: "It was his vision and perseverance which prepared the way for the planned refurbishment of the building and the re-opening of the academy school. He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues."