The new Roches Stores building on Henry Street in Dublin has won an award for its design at the annual Irish Architecture Awards 2004.
The project, one of seven which received special awards, was commended for creating "a powerful impact on a major retail street". Roches Stores' new building, which famously became home to the State's first branch of Spanish fashion retailer Zara, was designed by Newenham Mulligan Architects.
Other special award winners included the 'Balgaddy A' housing project in south Dublin, the first phase of a large-scale programme of work in north Clondalkin; Tubercurry Civic Offices in Sligo (best accessible project award) and an award for Coppinger Court in Cork city (best sustainable building). Private projects, such as one on the Stone House extension in Co Wicklow, also won special awards.
The North Kildare Educate Together school in Celbridge, designed by Grafton Architects, took one of 16 general awards.
Mr Anthony Reddy, president of the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (RIAI) praised the high quality of the work in the 197 entries submitted.
"The fact that such a variety of successful buildings has won awards this year is testament to the continually rising standard of building design across the spectrum in Ireland," he said.