Irish practices celebrated at Building and Architect of the Year Awards 2019

The Building and Architect of the Year Awards welcomed Ireland’s architecture community to celebrate a wide variety of projects, and to have them valued by their peers. More than 300 individuals, working for architectural giants, boutique practices and as independent designers, came together for an evening of celebration and acknowledgement.

The wide diversity across the 17 award categories demonstrates how vibrant the architecture community is in Ireland today. There were winning entries from just about every sector of the business world and the community at large, from spacious offices to hospices caring for those in need.

Receiving three awards, for Building of the Year, Architectural Practice of the Year and the Building of the Year – Office (Medium) award, were Henry J Lyons and Finghín Curraoin, one of the practice’s directors. The latter commented: “Over the past 100 years, our practice has gained an in-depth working knowledge of many building types and how to deliver them. We take pride in all of our projects but to be celebrated across three categories means a great deal to us. Collaboration was key to the success of One Molesworth, so we’re extremely grateful to have worked alongside Green Reit and the wider team. We had a fantastic night at the Building and Architect of the Year Awards.”

O’Mahony Pike Architects won the Building of the Year – Office (Large) award for their work on Capital Dock, and Conor Kinsella, director, spoke on the win: “Capital Dock created a new urban quarter for Dublin, bringing together a variety of high quality public spaces and exemplary building designs which reflect Kennedy Wilson's commitment to high quality, sustainable development. The offices are designed to create a successful, flexible, working environment, which provides excellent welfare facilities for occupants, and benefits from a LEED Gold energy rating, and O’Mahony Pike Architects are delighted that this award acknowledges our proven expertise in the commercial sector.”

Reddy Architecture & Urbanism worked with Our Lady’s Hospice to create the Palliative Care Facility and won the Building of the Year – Medical & Health award, Paul O’Brien, project architect, said: “Our focus is to design buildings and places that enhance the lives of those who use them. Working with Our Lady’s Hospice has very much resulted in a highly efficient, sustainable and pleasant working and care environment, which was very well received by staff and patients alike. To be recognised by our peers left us with a greater sense of pride for this project and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening”.

McCauley Daye O’Connell Architects received the Housing Project of the Year award, and Dan Daye, director, said: “We are proud and thankful to receive the Housing Project of the Year Award, which recognises the commitment of our client and the dedication of our team to the creation of high quality, innovative and environmentally sustainable buildings”.

Vescom were the sponsors for the awards, and Stephen Pierce, who is their area sales manager, said: “Vescom manufacture and distribute commercial wallcoverings, upholstery and curtain fabrics for the contract market. Our success is indebted to our colleagues and customers in the architecture and construction industry. Vescom are very proud to sponsor the awards in appreciation for their loyalty and support. Congratulations to all nominees and winners”.

John Paul Construction also sponsored the awards, and their deputy managing director, Liam Kenny, said: “John Paul Construction were delighted to sponsor the overall Building of the Year award and congratulate all entrants for their excellent projects. We had a fantastic evening at the awards dinner, where some of Ireland’s finest building and architecture projects achieved much deserved recognition for their excellence”.

Judging co-ordinator, Frank McDonald, finished by summing up the evening, as follows: “The Building and Architect of the Year Awards, now in its fourth year, are going from strength to strength, as evidenced by the quality of this year’s winners, led by HJL’s One Molesworth Street, which shows how a very prominent corner of the city can be lifted by quality design responding to its context”.

Judging panel

Judging Co-ordinator - Frank McDonald, author & former environment editor of The Irish Times
Tim Darmody, director, Darmody Architecture
Máire Henry, director, dhb architects & head of the department of architecture, Waterford Institute of Technology
Brian Jennings, architect, designer & principal, Jennings Design Studio - Architects
Derry Kearney, managing director, Cundall Ireland
Fergal MacCabe, founder, MacCabe Durney Barnes
Alan Mee, owner, Alan Mee Architects
Derry Scully, group president, Linesight
Claire Solon, head of property, Aviva & Board Member, Home Building Finance Ireland
Michael Stiff, director, Stiff + Trevillion Architects

Winners 2019