IRISH architecture, already improving in leaps and bounds, is likely to become even better now that the State - at last - seems to be seeking a quid pro quo for all the tax incentives and subsidies it provides, directly and indirectly, to the construction industry. Last autumn, the Government produced its first ever draft policy on architecture, stressing the need for quality across the board, as well as the inter departmental report on measures to protect Ireland's rich architectural heritage - an initiative which was also long overdue.
Just last month, Minister of State Liz McManus TD published a major review of the 10 year old urban renewal designated areas scheme, which recommended that any new package of tax incentives should be much more targeted at the areas of greatest need and based on the adoption of action plans.
The message was that we needed to look at cities and towns in a three dimensional way, rather than simply drawing lines on a map. This was first done in Temple Bar, of course, and it is now being extended to Smithfield and the much larger redundant docklands area.
Architects Murray O'Laoire, who were involved in the urban renewal review, are also doing the docklands master plan. It is to be finished this month, coinciding with establishment of a new authority to take charge of an area stretching from the Custom House to the Pigeon House.
In terms of architectural trends, we can expect to see more conversions of existing buildings - long disused warehouses becoming apartment blocks, for example as well as the creation of better working environments in office blocks geared up for information technology.
"Green architecture" is also beginning to make an impact, as more designers and their clients take on board issues such as energy conservation, life cycle costs and sustainable development. Temple Bar's Green Building may not, after all, end up as a once off eccentricity. New ideas, especially from Europe, are percolating through the design process as more young Irish architects return home from working abroad; their older colleagues have also learned something from the RIAI's annual conferences in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Berlin.
THE Architectural Association of Ireland's New Irish Architecture Awards, now in its 12th year, and the RIAI's rival regional awards scheme have also helped to raise standards as well as giving interested members of the public a snap shot of some of the best of what's currently on offer. There are also more architectural competitions for significant projects, such as the National Gallery's proposed extension in Clare Street. But with just a few exceptions, there is little indication that good design is having an impact on suburban housing estates, where most people live.
Architects to watch:
Merritt Bucholz and Karen McEvoy, who won the competition to design the proposed Fingal County Hall in Swords, in association with Donal Friel, of BDP's Dublin office.
This year's Must Sees:
1. January sees the opening of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's County Hall, designed by McCullough Mulvin, in association with Robinson Keefe and Devane, and sensitively slotted in behind - as well as incorporating - the landmark late Victorian Town Hall, built for Kingstown Town Council.
2. At Easter, or thereabouts, the National Museum will unveil its new premises at Collins Barracks, remodelled by Gilroy McMahon and the Office of Public Works. The success of this £13 million scheme will depend very much on the quality and, particularly, the presentation of its exhibits.
3. In June, one of the most stunning buildings of the late 20th century will open in Berlin. Designed by Polish born architect Daniel Liebskind, the deliberately disorientating Jewish Museum - in the city from which the holocaust was directed - is certain to leave visitors spellbound.
4. August will see the final completion of one of Ireland's longest running building sagas - the new Regional Hospital in Tallaght, designed by Robinson Keefe and Devane. The winning entry in a 1984 architectural competition, it did not go on site until 1993 and ended up costing £120 million.
5. Another major healthcare project, desperately needed for decades, is due to open its doors in June. Designed by Ahrends Burton and Koralek, the £11 million extension to the Dental Hospital - together with Scott Tallon Walker's new science block - will transform Lincoln Place.
6. Finally, the Arts Council is turning its attention to architecture, after years of spectacular neglect. Its chairman, Ciaran Benson, has cast a wide net in terms of getting a project which would help to raise public awareness of architecture nationally, but nothing specific has been decided so far.
