Denis O’Brien’s Digice
l headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica – designed by Dublin architects deBlacam and Meagher – is among the 48 projects shortlisted for this year’s annual awards by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.
Other projects shortlisted for the 25th RIAI Irish Architecture Awards include the National Film School in Dún Laoghaire by ABK, a lifeguard hut in Sandycove, and Cast Architecture’s brightly renovated top-floor restaurant in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street.
The list includes major works such as O’Donnell and Tuomey’s widely praised Saw Swee Hock Student Centre at the London School of Economics, and magical ones such as the “pop-up” Granby Park on Dublin’s Lower Dominick Street by A2 and Seán Harrington Architects.
Also in the running for awards are a new school in Connemara by Simon J Kelly & Partners; a sheltered housing scheme in Southill, Limerick, by ABK; new visitor facilities at Airfield Farm in Dundrum, Co Dublin, by Solearth Architecture; and several domestic projects.
For the seventh year running, the RIAI’s popular public choice award gives ordinary people – the consumers of architecture – an opportunity to vote for their favourite shortlisted project, with the winner being named “Ireland’s favourite new building”.
RIAI president Robin Mandal said it was clear from the diverse range and quality of projects that “the tide is turning for Irish architects” after a particularly bleak period and they also showed that involving architects ensured “quality delivers the best value for money”.
Des McMahon, chairman of the jury, said the large number of high-quality entries led to a longer shortlist of 48, compared to 33 last year.
“We need to be aware of the world-class buildings that exist on our doorsteps and to reward the talented Irish architects behind them.”
The contest attracted nearly 140 entries in 15 categories, ranging from retail to housing, conservation, educational and healthcare, public space, environmental sustainability and universal design. From today until noon on June 19th, the public can vote online at riai.ie
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 24th in the Woodquay Venue, in the basement of Dublin City Council’s Civic Offices at Wood Quay.
