One of the few good things about living for almost a year under lockdown was the opportunity it gave so many people to become significantly better acquainted with the towns and cities where they live. And what many of us have noted is the remarkable transformation that our residential and business quarters have undergone over the last couple of decades. From two-story modernist homes to stadia and office blocks, the quality and imagination on show is consistently impressive and occasionally breathtaking.
So it is only right that all the time and effort that goes into producing these remarkable constructions should be celebrated at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards. The Awards have been held annually for four years now, and the 2021 event took place on Thursday, May 20th. This year's winners were announced to a live digital audience at a virtual ceremony, which was presided over by the broadcaster and comedian Colm O'Regan.
As ever, the whole evening was only made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors, one of which was Ethos Engineering. Greg Hayden , their chief executive officer, said, “At Ethos, we celebrate talent, innovation and collaboration, both in our teams and with our clients. And as an industry leader, we are once again delighted to be a sponsor of the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2021.
“The word ‘challenging’ does not begin to describe the rollercoaster time we’ve all undergone in the past 15 months. Therefore, it has been very rewarding to hear the experiences of the finalists and pay tribute to the work they achieved in very trying circumstances. Congratulations to the event organisers and everyone involved, plus a special well done to all the winners.”
Another of this year’s sponsors was Etag Fixings. Shaun Bonner, their sales director for Ireland & UK, said, “Huge congratulations to all the finalists of the Building & Architect Awards 2021. Etag were delighted to be a sponsor for the Awards. It has been a challenging year and the event was an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate virtually. Well done to all involved in the event.”
There were 15 trophies handed out over the course of the evening, with Níall McLaughlin winning the Outstanding Contribution to Architecture Award, 2021. And the event was only made possible thanks to the invaluable support of its sponsors, which include Etag Fixings, BuildingLink Ireland and Ethos Engineering.
The full list of the 2021 winners are:
Building of the Year
Winner: Penrose Dock - Wilson Architecture
Architectural Practice of the Year (award generously sponsored by Ethos Engineering)
Winner: Henry J Lyons
Outstanding Contribution to Architecture
Recipient: Níall McLaughlin
Building of the Year – Commercial
Winner: IAA Visual Control Tower, Dublin Airport - Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Building of the Year – Office
Winner: Irish Stock Exchange - Henry J Lyons
Building of the Year - Large Office (award generously sponsored by Etag Fixings)
Winner: Penrose Dock - Wilson Architecture
Building of the Year - Tourism, Leisure & Hospitality
Winner: Climbing Wall Centre, University of Limerick - Hugh Kelly Architects
Building of the Year - Medical & Health
Winner: Four Ferns - Reddy Architecture & Urbanism
Building of the Year – Public
Winner: Davagh Forest Observatory - ARC-EN
Building of the Year - Private Rented Sector (award generously sponsored by BuildingLink Ireland)
Winner: Ropemaker Place - Henry J Lyons
House Extension Refurbishment
Winner: Crafted Courtyard House - DMVF Architects
Sustainability Award for a Single Building or Development
Winner: Trinity Business School - Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Single House Building of the Year
Winner: Windmill House - Marshall McCann Architects
Conservation Award for a Single Building or Development
Winner: Irish Stock Exchange - Henry J Lyons
Excellence in Education & Training
Winner: Architectural Technology Programme - Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Whilst this year’s judging panel was made up of the following:
- Collette Burns, architectural project leader, Campus Planning, TU Dublin
- Alan Crawford, founding partner, Crawford Partnership
- Tim Darmody, director, Darmody Architecture
- Garbhan Doran, director, co-founder, Broadstone Architects
- Ailish Drake, director, Drake Hourigan Architects
- Derry Kearney, managing director, Cundall Ireland
- Peter Mance, director, MAAPS Design & Architecture, UK
- John Mitchell, owner, DMOD Architects
- Michael Stiff, founder, Stiff + Trevillion Architects, UK
Find out more at the Building & Architect of the Year Awards 2021 - buildingoftheyear.ie
