National architecture awards turn spotlight on Cork
looks at the world of art, architecture and interiors.
A STROLL through Cork city centre will show you how its streetscape has been transformed utterly — and largely for the better — over the past couple of decades or so.
Now it’s looking like architects based in the city might just be in a position to pave those same streets in gold medals and paper the walls of Cork buildings in certificates of excellence.
Cork’s flair for snazzy and sustainable design propelled it centre stage last weekend, as it took home no fewer than five of the coveted top awards at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Architectural Awards on Friday.
Now marking the 30th year of its prestigious awards, the RIAI announced 22 winners across 14 categories. A record number of entries were received this year, according to Carole Pollard, chair of the jury.
The shortlist was made up of exceptional projects, including residential homes, commercial spaces, schools, healthcare facilities, heritage locations and public spaces. All projects on the shortlist were designed by RIAI-registered architects and were completed in 2018.
Cork architects won gongs for innovation, practical living considerations and even wellbeing. So what’s the secret to their success? Award winner Gareth Sullivan of Simply Architecture credited “fantastic clients and local contractors” for helping turn architects’ designs into reality.
“Having started our practice at the most challenging of times in the recession we have always remained true to our values of good well-considered design and this makes the award even more special,” he said.
The five Cork winners’ projects — Sunday’s Well Houses; Cork Criminal Courthouse; Cavanagh Bridge, UCC; Bon Secours Care Village; and Simply Architecture — are described in detail below and you can also see the full list of winners on this page.
Designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey, Sunday’s Well Houses scooped the award for Living. These two houses are located on a south-facing steeply sloping site. The dramatically different levels of the site, between the tight city grain at street level and the wide-open character of the Lee valley, provide a variety of contrasting urban and landscape conditions.
Cork Criminal Courthouse took home the award for Innovation. The courthouse was designed by OPW Architects, Wilson Architects and Bluett O’Donoghue. Criminal court sittings were moved to this new facility from the existing 19th-century building.
“The decision to move criminal court functions to a new building constructed in the former playground to the rear of the 19th-century model school has meant a significant improvement in court administration and it has also brought life to this area of the city centre,” said the RIAI judges.
Cavanagh Bridge, UCC, won the Public Space category. The bridge was designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey architects. The Cavanagh pedestrian bridge and riverside walk acts as a crucial link in the chain of connection between the UCC campus core and the Western Road.
It opens up a new entrance to the university from the north city area. It makes the green space, known as Perrott’s Inch, along the river available for use by the campus community and members of the public. “The bridge is designed to be a long-lasting structure, elegant in its outline, crafted in its detail and integrated with its landscape setting,” said the judges.
The expansion at Bon Secours Care Village took home the award for Wellbeing. The Expansion was designed by O’Connell Mahon Architects. Expanding an existing building of outstanding quality on a steeply sloped site presented a unique challenge, requiring careful consideration of complex geometries.
“The primary design driver was the creation of residential accommodation that is compassionate to the needs of residents, as well as providing communal spaces to encourage the best possible quality of life,” according to the jury.
The Future Award (Best new emerging practice) went to Simply Architecture, founded by Gareth Sullivan. The progressive architect practice based in Cork City specialises in well-crafted bespoke projects. Simply Architecture enjoyed double celebrations over the past week as it also scooped two Isover awards the previous day, being named overall Isover winner and Isover Designer of the Year 2019.
RIAI WINNERS 2019
Winner: 13-18 City Quay, Grant Thornton HQ, Dublin
Architects: Henry J Lyons Architects
Client: Target Investment Opportunities Ltd
Winner: Gardens International – The Hanging Gardens, Limerick
Architects: Carr Cotter Naessens and Denis Byrne
Client: Limerick 2030
Winner: PI (restaurant), Dublin
Architects: Luca Architecture
Client: John Savage
Winner: Goethe-Institut Irland, Dublin; Extension and Refurbishment of 37 Merrion Square
Architects: Henchion Reuter Architects with Shaffrey Architects
Client: Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung
Winner: City Assembly House
Architects: Consarc Design Group Ltd.
Client: Irish Georgian Society
Winner: Killyon Church, Enfield, Co Meath
Architects: PG Architects
Client: Fr Michael Kilmartin, PP
Winner: Pálás, Galway
Architects: de Paor Architects
Clients: Solas/Element Pictures Ltd
Winner: Confucius Institute for Ireland, Dublin
Architects: Robin Lee Architecture and Arthur Gibney & Partners
Client: University College Dublin, Confucius Institute
Winner: Small Works, Belvedere College, Dublin
Architects: TAKA Architects
Client: Belvedere College SJ
Winner: Expansion at Bon Secours Care Village, Cork
Architects: O’Connell Mahon Architects
Client: Bon Secours Health System
Winner: Sunday’s Well Houses, Cork
Architects: O’Donnell + Tuomey
Client: Trish Kearney, Tom Murphy and Siun and Peter Kearney
Winner: Ash House, Co Dublin
Architects: Sketch Architects
Client: Private
Winner: Vavasour Square, Dublin
Architects: GKMP Architects
Client: Nicky and Darren Cran
Winner: Addition and Renovation to a Victorian Family House, Dublin
Architects: Clancy Moore Architects
Client: Private Dublin
Winner: George’s Place, Dún Laoghaire
Architects: DLR Architects and A2 Architects
Client: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
Winner: Mapleton Crescent, London
Architects: Metropolitan Workshop LLP
Client: Pocket Living
Winner: Cavanagh Bridge, UCC
Architects: O’Donnell + Tuomey
Client: University College Cork
Winner: The Living Light
Architect: Noreile Breen
Winner: Simply Architecture, Cork
Winner: Cork Criminal Courthouse
Architects: DLR Architects, OPW Architects, Wilson Architecture, Bluett O’Donoghue
Client: Courts Service
Winner: Brickworks, London
Architects: Brady Mallalieu Architects
Clients: Islington Council
Winner: George’s Place, Dún Laoghaire
Architects: DLR Architects and A2 Architects
Client: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
An Ríocht Scoil Chríost Rí, Boys National School, Caherdavin
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