Construction BUSINESS

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has announced the winners of 2017 RIAI Architecture Awards. The awards celebrate the quality of work carried out by RIAI members in 2016 and highlight the contribution that architects make to society for everyone’s benefit. Now in its 28th year and with a record 18 categories, this year’s shortlist included 60 projects, spanning 13 counties across Ireland as well as three international projects in Hungary, Palestine and Poland. The jury chose 21 Winners and gave awards to 28 Highly Commended and 14 Commended entries.

Kilmainham Courthouse, designed by OPW Architectural Services was named Best Conservation/Restoration Building. Ireland’s new Central Bank won in the Best Universal Design category. The award for Best Education Building was shared between Beaufort Maritime and Energy Research Laboratory, designed by McCullough Mulvin Architects for University College Cork and The Extension to Gairmscoil na bPiarsach, Co. Galway, designed by Paul Dillon Architects for Galway Roscommon Educational Training Board. Irish architects continue to deliver major projects abroad and Best International Project went to Central European University (Phase 1) in Budapest, Hungary, designed by O’Donnell + Tuomey. RIAI President Carole Pollard also presented a President’s Award to the Palestinian Museum in Birzeit, West Bank by Heneghen Peng Architects.

With over 14,000 votes cast, the Public Choice Award was scooped by the O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance, located at the National University of Ireland, Galway and designed by Taylor Architects in association with Richard Murphy.

Image caption – O’Donoghue Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance at National University of Ireland, Galway, designed by Taylor Architects in association with Richard Murphy, winner of  the RIAI Public Choice Award 2017